The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Also Takes 'Social Distancing' Measures with Diplomatic Corps in Korea

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 22nd that it will actively practice the government-wide 'social distancing' measures implemented to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) together with the diplomatic corps in Korea.

On the 21st, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs planned to implement the strengthened 15-day 'social distancing' measures announced by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for COVID-19 in earnest by dividing the efforts into: ?guidance and cooperation requests for the diplomatic corps in Korea and foreigners ?social distancing measures in diplomatic activities ?internal measures within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

?First, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will recommend that the diplomatic missions in Korea refrain from holding diplomatic events such as receptions for the time being, and will also ask embassies to actively promote participation in 'social distancing' among their nationals residing in Korea through embassy websites and social network service (SNS) contact networks.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "On the 23rd, the Protocol Chief of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will request the head of the diplomatic corps in Korea (Ambassador of Gabon to Korea) to actively participate in the strengthened 15-day 'social distancing' measures at the diplomatic corps level, and will send diplomatic notes to all 136 diplomatic missions in Korea to encourage their nationals' participation and request cooperation."

Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to minimize overseas business trips and face-to-face consultations as much as possible and actively utilize telephone and video conferences. As an internal workplace measure, it will thoroughly implement shift work and flexible work arrangements to minimize office density while ensuring work continuity.