Moon, the first incumbent president in history to address the WHO Assembly... Accelerating the global standardization of 'K-quarantine'

President Moon Jae-in

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] President Moon Jae-in will deliver the keynote address as the first Korean president to represent Asia at the 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA) to be held on the 18th. He is expected to promote Korea's K-quarantine efforts and accelerate their standardization worldwide, addressing countries around the globe struggling amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Moon's keynote speech at this WHA was arranged at the request of WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the 6th of last month. During a phone call with President Moon, Director-General Ghebreyesus said, "It will be a great opportunity to share Korea's experience in responding to COVID-19," and requested that he deliver the keynote address as the representative of Asia.

The WHA is the highest decision-making body of the WHO. Delegates from WHO member countries attend to select and discuss health-related agendas, with COVID-19 being the central topic this year. Although it is usually held annually in Geneva, Switzerland, this year’s assembly will be conducted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The only previous instance of a Korean president delivering a keynote speech at the WHA was former President Kim Dae-jung in May 2004. However, this is the first time a sitting president will give such a speech.

In his keynote address, President Moon is expected to share the Korean government’s successful COVID-19 quarantine experience and emphasize three core principles to the international community: openness, transparency, and democracy.

In particular, many experts are warning of an unprecedented global economic crisis triggered by COVID-19. In his special speech marking the third anniversary of his inauguration on the 10th, President Moon stated, "The post-COVID-19 global economic order is far from rosy," adding, "The rise of self-centered nationalism and survivalism threatens the division of labor within globalization that has driven the world economy’s development." Accordingly, he is expected to urge delegates from various countries to strengthen solidarity and coordinate policies beyond quarantine efforts.