Following the French President, the US also shows positive signs... Virtual meeting planned with ASEAN+3 summit countries
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] Major countries are sending positive signals in response to President Moon Jae-in's proposal for a video conference on the 'Novel Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19).' As the international community focuses on South Korea as a model country for COVID-19 response, this is seen as an opportunity to expand diplomatic influence.
Earlier, on the 13th, President Moon said during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, "It would be good to hold a special video summit at the G20 level." President Macron responded, "Good idea," and said, "Let's work to put it into practice."
The leaders of South Korea and France discussed sharing experiences and clinical data with the international community regarding COVID-19 prevention and overcoming the crisis. President Moon's video conference proposal carries the message that major country leaders should unite to solve the COVID-19 issue.
In this regard, on the 15th, National Security Office Director Chung Eui-yong conveyed to U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien that President Moon had proposed a G20 leaders' video conference to President Macron.
The Blue House explained, "We requested (National Security Advisor O'Brien) to convey President Moon's proposal to President Trump," and "The U.S. side welcomed it as a very good proposal."
In particular, the Blue House reported that President Trump decided on the 16th (local time) to consider discussing this issue during a G7 leaders' video conference. The main agenda of the G7 video conference is also the international community's response to COVID-19.
If a COVID-19 video conference among G20 leaders follows the G7 meeting, President Moon's proposal is expected to gain more momentum. Governments and media of major countries are paying attention to South Korea's COVID-19 prevention and overcoming process and are trying to refer to the 'Korean model.' The G20 leaders' COVID-19 video conference is expected to be an opportunity for major countries to share South Korea's overcoming process.
Additionally, the Blue House stated, "The government is also promoting a video conference to discuss joint COVID-19 responses with ASEAN+3 summit countries." This is a strategic move to strengthen exchange and cooperation with countries economically closely related to South Korea through COVID-19.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
