Government: "Support for Domestic Diagnostic Kits to Japan? Not Being Considered" (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The government announced on the 28th that it is not currently pursuing a plan to provide domestically produced diagnostic kits for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) to Japan.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' quarantine team, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the same day, "Our government's support for Japan is not being pursued at this time."

Earlier that day, the Asahi Shimbun reported that the Japanese government stated that if it receives electronic amplification (PCR) test kits from Korea, they must first undergo performance evaluation by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. It also reported that the Korean government is considering providing COVID-19 diagnostic kits at the request of the Japanese government.

Yoon, the head of the quarantine team, explained, "The government is receiving export and humanitarian support requests for COVID-19 related quarantine supplies from several countries. To respond to this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formed and is operating an inter-ministerial task force (TF) to support the overseas expansion of COVID-19 quarantine supplies."

Meanwhile, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, a total of 47 domestic diagnostic kit items have been approved for export so far. There are 35 PCR test methods and 12 antibody test methods.