Asean and South Korea Strengthen Ties for More Robust Covid-19 Testing

Jakarta. South Korea – known for its robust "trace, test and treat" formula against Covid-19 – has recently launched a project worth around $5 million to boost Asean member states' coronavirus detection capacity.
The program – funded by the Asean Korea Corporation Fund – will provide testing kits, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) equipment, personal protective equipment and on-site training.
The Korea Foundation on International Healthcare will be in charge of procurement and distribution for the program.
According to the South Korean Ambassador to Asean, Lim Sung-nam, the assistance is a follow-up to South Korean President Moon Jae-In's pledge for collective action against the pandemic at the Asean Plus Three Summit in April.
In 2017, Moon had also unveiled the "New Southern Policy" to strengthen ties with Asean member states through the three pillars of "people, prosperity and peace."
"The basis of every relation is people. We want to support our Asean partners to help their people, who are suffering from the pandemic, so we can all revitalize our economy and tourism later on," Lim told Jakarta Globe at the Asean Secretariat building in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Lim said the project took only a month to approve – the fastest a project is approved since AKCF's establishment in 1990. Normally, the process would take almost a year.
"Solidarity and cooperation among nations is the only way to victory against the coronavirus. The Korean government will continue to work with Asean in the coming months and years until we are all free from Covid-19," Lim said.
Asean Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi said Asean and South Korea would further increase cooperation in public health against emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
"This will be a major area of collaboration under the Asean-Korea Plan of Action 2021-2025, which will be adopted by our foreign ministers in August," he said.
More Help for Indonesia
Lim Sung Nam said Indonesia is one of Korea's priority partners in the joint fight against Covid-19.
He said the Korean government will offer support at a much larger scale for Indonesia's fight against the pandemic in the next few months.
However, details about the assistance are yet to be disclosed.
In April, South Korea had donated reagents to ramp up Indonesia's extremely low testing rate.
Tags: Keywords:Related Articles
No Need to Panic Over Recent COVID-19 Spike, Health Minister Says
Health Minister Budi Sadikin says recent COVID-19 variants in Indonesia are not deadly, urges public to stay calm and follow health protocolIndonesia on Alert as Prabowo Responds to COVID-19 Uptick
President Prabowo summons Health Minister Budi amid rising COVID-19 cases. Public urged to stay calm and follow basic health precautions.Indonesia Issues COVID-19 Advisory Amid New Wave in Asia
In Indonesia, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases dropped from 28 to just three over the past week.The Best Deal with Trump is No Deal
Trump’s portrayal of China, Japan, S. Korea, India, and ASEAN as job thieves is misleading and distorts economic reality.ASEAN, Gulf Nations Get Closer as Trade Hits $130.7 Billion
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) wants its trade with ASEAN to reach $180 billion by 2032.It Can Be Hard for ASEAN to Set Common Negotiation Plan on US Tariffs
An economist says that each ASEAN member is at a different stage of development, making a common US tariff negotiation plan impossible.Indonesia, Thailand Sign Health Pact as COVID Cases Surge in Bangkok
Indonesia and Thailand sign a health MoU in Bangkok as COVID-19 cases rise, aiming to strengthen pandemic readiness and health systems.Indonesia, Thailand Sign Health Pact as COVID Cases Surge in Bangkok
Indonesia and Thailand sign a health MoU in Bangkok as COVID-19 cases rise, aiming to strengthen pandemic readiness and health systems.Indonesia Strengthens Economic Ties with South Korea
Prabowo Subianto Receives Courtesy Visit from Federation of Korean Industries at Merdeka Palace.Unleashing Borneo’s Potential: Will Indonesia Step Up?
Often overlooked, Borneo is ASEAN’s biggest elephant in the room of regional growth.The Latest
Over 20,000 Live Cattle Imported from Australia to Boost Indonesia’s Meat and Dairy Output
The government has lifted restrictions on live cattle imports and offers incentives to boost domestic meat and dairy production.Indonesia Predicted to Grow Just 4.5 Pct This Year if Israel-Iran War Doesn’t Stop
Analyst Bhima Yudhistira also says the looming Strait of Hormuz closure will cause oil prices to soar.Nadiem Makarim Questioned in Rp 10 Trillion School Laptop Graft Case
The former minister vows full cooperation in the AGO investigation into alleged corruption during the school digitalization push.Thunder Beat Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 for First NBA Title
Gilgeous-Alexander finished off his MVP season with 29 points and 12 assists, and the Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers.Indonesia Seeks Joint Venture Fertilizer Plant with Russia
Indonesia would increase crude palm oil (CPO) exports to Russia, while in return, Russia would facilitate beef exports to Indonesia.Most Popular
