President Moon holds summit calls with Australia and Poland... Urges 'Entry Permission for Korean Businesspeople'

Australian Prime Minister Proposes Video Summit with "COVID-19 Model" Korea

President Moon Jae-in is having a phone call with Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia, at the Yeomin Building of the Blue House on the afternoon of the 7th. (Photo by Cheong Wa Dae)

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sunhee] On the 7th, President Moon Jae-in held separate phone calls with the leaders of Australia and Poland, urging them on issues such as allowing entry for Korean businesspeople.

At 3 p.m. that day, President Moon had a phone call at the request of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and expressed gratitude to the Australian government for cooperating with the return of overseas Koreans staying in Australia. Prime Minister Morrison evaluated the Korean government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and proposed holding a virtual summit within the year.

Through a written briefing that day, Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok conveyed that President Moon expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Morrison, saying, "Although regular flights between the two countries have been suspended recently, I am grateful to the Australian government for actively cooperating to operate temporary flights upon the requests of our overseas Koreans wishing to return to Korea." The call between the two leaders lasted 25 minutes from 3 p.m.

According to Spokesperson Kang, about 1,000 overseas Koreans who had been staying in Australia have returned on temporary flights so far, and more are being arranged. The Australian government, in principle, prohibits entry and transit for foreigners, but 12 KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) members in the Solomon Islands also returned via Australia.

President Moon particularly emphasized "allowing the movement of essential personnel such as businesspeople," stating, "As Korea and Australia mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year and are important trading partners to each other, I hope essential exchanges and cooperation between the two countries will continue. Regarding urgent visits by businesspeople, I expect the Prime Minister's attention and support so that mutual entry can be permitted under certain conditions."

Prime Minister Morrison agreed and proposed holding a virtual summit within the year. He said, "At the virtual summit between the two countries, I hope to discuss how to overcome the COVID-19 crisis, how to cooperate with vulnerable countries, and how to steadily develop trade relations between the two countries."

Additionally, he expressed his intention to continue assisting Koreans returning from Australia and said, "I am well aware that Korea has responded very successfully with strong leadership to the COVID-19 situation. Thank you for setting an example to the world. Australia is also trying to follow the Korean model." He also requested support such as importing Korean diagnostic kits and medical equipment.

President Moon responded, "If you inform us of specific cooperation requests regarding diagnostic kits and quarantine supplies through diplomatic channels, we will actively review them to provide assistance as much as circumstances allow."

Soon after, from 4 p.m. for 25 minutes, President Moon held a phone call at the request of Polish President Andrzej Duda and said, "I appreciate the Polish government’s special consideration of the strategic partnership between our two countries, which marked its 30th anniversary last year, and for taking measures to allow essential personnel of our companies to enter Poland." He also requested, "For the smooth progress of local factory construction in Poland, I ask for your continued attention and support so that necessary businesspeople can enter Poland preferably within April."

President Duda responded, "Since the issue of Korean businesspeople entering Poland is very important, I will consult with relevant ministers to handle it, and I look forward to more active cooperation with Korean companies once the COVID-19 situation settles." He also requested the purchase of Korean diagnostic kits and quarantine supplies, to which President Moon replied, "We will actively consider it."

Spokesperson Kang added that President Duda invited President Moon, saying, "I look forward to your visit to Poland after the COVID-19 situation calms down," and President Moon expressed his gratitude for the invitation.