Minister Kang Kyung-wha Talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi: "Concerns Over Excessive Controls Including Quarantine Measures for Koreans"

Minister Kang "Requests Attention to Avoid Excessive Measures"
Wang Yi, Foreign Minister, "Striving to Enhance Korea-China Friendship"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Kang Kyung-wha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea, who is visiting London, UK, held a phone call on the 26th (local time) with Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, exchanging views on cooperation in response to COVID-19 and the recent excessive restrictions imposed by Chinese local governments on Korean entrants.

Minister Kang explained that the South Korean government is making an all-out effort with transparent and proactive measures at the whole-of-government level to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and expressed concern over the excessive controls such as quarantine measures imposed on Korean entrants in several regions within China recently. She also requested that the Chinese central government pay more attention to ensure that excessive measures are not taken based on facts.

In response, Foreign Minister Wang once again expressed gratitude for the support sent by various sectors in Korea to China during the COVID-19 response process, and evaluated the thorough quarantine efforts and strong determination of the Korean government to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Chinese government stated that it will continue to strive to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on human exchanges and economic cooperation between the two countries and to further promote friendship between South Korea and China.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "Based on the achievements of close communication and cooperation between South Korea and China during the COVID-19 response process, the two ministers agreed to work together to further develop bilateral relations."

This call was the third communication within the past month following the calls on January 28 and the meeting on February 15 between the two ministers. The ministers agreed to continue frequent communication and strengthen cooperation on current issues going forward.