Korea, China coordinating response to virus epidemic

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Tue, September 26, 2023 | 05:08

Politics

Korea, China coordinating response to virus epidemic

Posted : 2020-01-29 16:30

Updated : 2020-01-29 18:02

People buy face masks at a shop in Seoul, Tuesday. AP-Yonhap

By Do Je-hae

Seoul and Beijing are closely coordinating their responses to the spread of a new lethal coronavirus, with the heads of the countries' foreign affairs discussing measures regarding the evacuation of Korean nationals in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha called for Beijing's support for the evacuation of Koreans on a chartered plane, during a phone call with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi late Tuesday.

"They exchanged views on issues of mutual concern, including the protection of South Koreans in China regarding the new coronavirus, necessary support for the Chinese side, and high-level exchanges between the leaders of Korea and China," the ministry said in a statement.

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"Minister Kang requested China's continued cooperation for the safety of Korean residents there, including their repatriation. The Korean government will also provide the necessary supplies and other cooperation to China in the hope that the situation will be resolved quickly and smoothly through active measures by the Chinese government."

The Korean government plans to send four chartered planes to Wuhan, two each today and Friday, to bring around 700 Koreans home, with talks on their detailed schedule still ongoing. On their way to China, the planes will bring in 2 million masks and 100,000 pieces of anti-contamination clothing as China is short of these with the epidemic spreading rapidly.

Their phone call also touched on high-level exchanges that will take place this year, including a summit between President Moon Jae-in and Chinese President Xi Jingping, which is expected to take place in the coming months. "We will overcome this crisis together and expedite communication and cooperation at various levels as we make the relevant preparations," the statement read. On the same day, a Cheong Wa Dae official said that preparations for the Korea-China summit will not be affected by the outbreak of the disease.

While the evacuation is imminent, public concerns are now rising that the arrival of Korean residents from Wuhan may aggravate the spread of the virus.

The government announced Wednesday that only those who do not have symptoms of the virus will be brought back to Korea on the chartered plane through Gimpo International Airport. "After consultations with the Chinese side, we have decided to first bring back those who are free from symptoms," Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Kim Kang-lip said after a government meeting.

It was a change from the government's initial plan: Earlier in the day, Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo said that residents who have symptoms of the virus, such as fever, vomiting, cough, sore throat and difficulty in breathing, would also be included.

The ministry said that upon arrival, the residents will be quarantined in several state-run facilities in Chungcheong Province for 14 days and undergo regular checkups. They will be barred from meeting other people including family members.

"Upon arrival, they will be checked for fever and other symptoms. People showing symptoms will be moved to isolation wards, and the others will have to stay at a temporary lodging for two weeks (until the incubation period is over). Medical staff will check on their condition there twice a day and send anybody showing symptoms to the wards," Park said.

jhdo@koreatimes.co.kr