Government Considers Holding International Meetings Virtually Amid Omicron Spread... Cooperation with Foreign Countries on Quarantine Measures

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strengthened quarantine cooperation systems with major countries such as the United States and Japan, including holding international meetings online due to the spread of the Omicron variant.

Due to the spread of Omicron, a new variant of COVID-19, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reconsidering holding large-scale international meetings, including the UN Peacekeeping Ministers' Meeting scheduled for next month.

The Ministry had planned to hold the UN Peacekeeping Ministers' Meeting, the highest-level consultative body related to the UN's Peacekeeping Operations (PKO), in Seoul on December 7-8, inviting foreign and defense ministers from 155 countries, and the Korea-Africa Forum on December 9-10.

However, as the Omicron variant has emerged mainly in the African region and countries are locking down their borders, it is difficult to proceed with such large-scale international meetings as originally planned.

When asked about the possibility of a full postponement of the UN Peacekeeping Ministers' Meeting, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said, "We are discussing various options" and "We are consulting carefully with the UN."

The Korea-Africa Forum is also reportedly under discussion with the co-host, the African Union (AU), regarding the meeting's progress.

Measures are also being considered to protect Korean residents in countries where the Omicron variant has emerged and neighboring countries.

Meanwhile, deputy foreign ministers from seven countries including Korea, the United States, and Japan discussed a joint response to Omicron. Choi Jong-moon, the 2nd Vice Minister, recently participated in a telephone consultation of deputy foreign ministers from seven countries chaired by Wendy Sherman, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State. Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, and India were also included.

The Omicron variant, which has recently become a global issue, was the main agenda of this consultation.

Vice Minister Choi explained the Korean government's entry restrictions to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant and plans to encourage additional vaccinations.

He also stated that Korea is participating in various international efforts to strengthen health security, such as the COVID-19 Summit and the Korea-U.S. Global Vaccine Partnership, and last year launched the Northeast Asia Quarantine and Health Cooperation Body to enhance regional health capacity.

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