US Fauci: "Korea is a Model Country for COVID-19 Prevention"... Discussed Cooperation Plans with Jeong Eun-kyeong

Director Jeong Eun-kyung of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (left in the photo) and Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, held a video conference on the 29th and agreed to collaborate on research for responding to infectious diseases including COVID-19.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), and Anthony Fauci, Director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), have agreed to join forces in research and response efforts between the two countries in the field of infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

Commissioner Jung and Director Fauci held a video conference on the 29th (Korean time) to discuss the recent COVID-19 situation and response experiences. They discussed research cooperation in infectious diseases, including technical cooperation on vaccines and therapeutics, joint clinical studies, and the establishment of a regular bilateral consultative body. Director Fauci played a key role during the Trump administration and was retained in the upcoming Biden administration, being appointed as the President’s Chief Medical Advisor.

The KDCA stated, "We have agreed to strengthen technical cooperation related to messenger RNA (mRNA), the core technology of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and will continue to discuss details such as personnel exchanges."

In addition, they shared domestic COVID-19 experiences and current status, and exchanged views on proactive testing strategies for asymptomatic infected individuals and future vaccination plans. Director Fauci said, "Korea has maintained a low number of infections, so it can be evaluated as having COVID-19 well under control," adding, "It is one of the model countries in COVID-19 response."

He continued, "While the Korean public consistently cooperates with government recommendations, in the U.S., there are difficulties due to differences in responses and public cooperation across the 50 states." Commissioner Jung said, "This meeting will serve as a foundation to newly strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the field of infectious diseases and better prepare for future infectious diseases."

Commissioner Jung and Director Fauci agreed to meet regularly going forward and to cooperate on necessary matters, including signing a letter of intent between the two countries’ infectious disease research institutes.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.