Explanation of South Korea's COVID-19 Response Efforts... Proposal to Allow Essential Personnel Movement Including Businesspeople
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] On the afternoon of the 26th, President Moon Jae-in attended the G20 Special Video Summit and shared South Korea's proactive and transparent quarantine measures related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) with the international community. In particular, President Moon proposed allowing the movement of essential personnel such as businesspeople.
President Moon explained that the Korean government has implemented proactive and transparent quarantine measures based on three principles: openness, transparency, and democracy, including active tracking of confirmed cases, operation of drive-through clinics, implementation of self-diagnosis apps, and special entry procedures. He also explained that the situation has been managed through the voluntary and democratic cooperation of the people. He clearly stated that South Korea’s successful response model will be shared with the international community.
President Moon stated that a bold expansionary macroeconomic policy and financial stability policy totaling 132 trillion won are being implemented to prevent COVID-19 from leading to a contraction in consumption, investment, and industrial activity. He emphasized that efforts are being made in parallel to reduce the burden on affected industries, small business owners, and micro-enterprises, stimulate consumption, support companies facing liquidity shortages, and maintain jobs for the people.
President Moon called for overcoming COVID-19 through strengthened solidarity and policy coordination in the international community, proposing that G20 member countries share COVID-19 quarantine experiences and clinical data and join forces to develop treatments and vaccines. He also proposed cooperation to support countries with vulnerable healthcare systems.
Emphasizing the need to implement expansionary macro policies using all available means, President Moon highlighted strengthening the global financial safety net and expanding cooperation for economic stability in underdeveloped and impoverished countries.
President Moon stressed the necessity of maintaining essential flows of economic exchange between countries to minimize the negative impact of COVID-19 on the global economy, proposing that G20 member countries explore ways to allow the movement of essential personnel such as scientists and businesspeople within the scope that does not hinder each country's quarantine measures.
Meanwhile, the G20 member country leaders adopted the ‘G20 Special Summit Statement on Coronavirus Disease-19,’ which includes joint response measures such as cooperation in responding to the global pandemic, protecting the international economy, responding to disruptions in international trade, and promoting international cooperation through this special video summit.
The G20 leaders agreed to cooperate to avoid causing unnecessary obstacles to cross-border movement and trade. Health, finance, and trade ministers will continue detailed consultations to prepare specific cooperation measures in the fields of quarantine, economy, and trade.
The Blue House stated, "The G20 leaders agreed that they can take all additional measures possible to continue international cooperation in response to COVID-19 and decided to convene the summit again if necessary," adding, "The regular G20 summit this year is scheduled to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 21-22."
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