President Moon Jae-in spoke on the phone with President of the Republic of Peru Martin Alberto Vizcarra Cornejo at the request of the Peruvian President for 20 minutes from 10:30 a.m. today.

President Moon began by expressing his special gratitude to the Peruvian Government for the active cooperation it rendered in the safe return of some 200 Koreans in Peru to their homeland on a chartered plane on March 28.

The President went on to say, “I look forward to your continued consideration and support as there are still some Koreans who are left behind and not able to come back home.” He added, “I’d also like to ask you to take special interest in the safety and health of the around 1,300 Koreans residing in Peru.”

President Vizcarra explained that his Government is in discussions with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Peru so that those Korean citizens who are residing there will be able to return to their home country as early as possible if they wish. He added that the Peruvian Government will also do its utmost for the sake of the safety and health of the Korean expatriates there. 

With regard to the COVID-19 outbreak, President Vizcarra congratulated the Korean Government on its achievement in effectively dealing with the situation. He went on to say that he understands well the fact that the world is taking Korea’s case as an example. He continued by saying that Peru is now in its most difficult situation and that his country wants to follow decisions made by Korea as more trying times may come. 

President Vizcarra said that he thinks it would be most effective for Peru to promptly carry out the type of massive diagnostic testing that Korea has been actively pursuing from the outset, but the President added that doing so requires Korea’s technological prowess, especially its diagnostic kits. President Vizcarra went on to say that if President Moon could give special consideration to the issue, Peru would be able to achieve similar results as good as Korea’s. 

President Vizcarra said Peru would like Korea to share its experiences, technological prowess and know-how related to COVID-19 countermeasures in addition to its medical supplies such as diagnostic kits. 

President Moon said, “Peru is a friend that has steadily developed friendly, cooperative ties with us since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1963. In particular, the two countries have become important economic partners since the Korea-Peru FTA took effect in 2011, and Korea values its relations with Peru.”

President Moon added, “I believe what is most important now in surmounting COVID-19 are the international community’s cooperation and solidarity. Korea will continue to play an active role in promoting cooperation and solidarity within the international community. We will actively share our quarantine and treatment experiences and clinical data with the Peruvian Government.”

President Moon went on to say, “In addition to offering support with regard to our treatment experience, clinical data and diagnostic kits that President Vizcarra requested, I will take interest in the provision of practical assistance as much as possible for the medical equipment that Peru is known to have the intention of buying.” 

President Vizcarra expressed his gratitude by saying that President Moon’s positive answer is a source of hope for Peru.    

The two leaders agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in various areas going forward, including healthcare, on the basis of their cooperation in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.