OECD: "Korea and Japan Are the Most Successful Countries in Responding to COVID-19"

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) evaluated South Korea, Japan, and others as member countries with the best outcomes based on the cumulative number of COVID-19 deaths per one million people.

On the 23rd (local time), the OECD released a health policy research report titled "Are We Ready for the Next Crisis? Investing in Health System Resilience," classifying OECD member countries into four groups from A to D, producing these results.

The group with the lowest COVID-19 mortality rate, Group A, included Australia, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Norway, while the group with the highest mortality rate, Group D, included the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia.

The OECD stated, "Countries in Group A have a higher average number of hospitals and a greater proportion of employment in the health and social sectors compared to countries in Groups B to D," and evaluated that "there is a positive correlation between the health systems each country has and their COVID-19 response outcomes."

It further explained, "Countries with better COVID-19 outcomes such as Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Norway had one or more indicators assessing health system capacity and health policy tools above the OECD average."

Referring to lockdown policies implemented by OECD member countries, citing examples from Germany, New Zealand, and South Korea, the report added, "The key elements of success were similar in that evidence-based policy formulation and implementation led to rapid and proactive responses."

The report described South Korea's COVID-19 response policy, known as the '3T strategy' of testing, tracing, and treatment with isolation, as "a model example of strong lockdown policies."

It explained that through public-private cooperation, a nationwide testing system was established within two weeks, all confirmed cases were isolated in designated facilities, a tracing system was set up, and innovative digital technologies such as QR codes were adopted to regulate indoor access.

Additionally, the report introduced as exemplary policies the establishment of a monitoring system to counter misinformation, the development of an IT system to supply personal protective equipment such as masks to long-term care facilities, and the integrated management of data.