By Lee Hana
President Moon Jae-in on March 31 held talks over the phone with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on cooperatively responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Moon said, "I hope bilateral cooperation as well as bilateral exchanges of people and goods, which have slipped slightly due to the COVID-19 outbreak, will return even stronger as soon as the outbreak calms down."
Requesting the phone call, the Bulgarian leader said, "I know well that the world is paying attention to Korea as a benchmark in quarantine systems." Asking for cooperation, he added, "The situation is that diagnostic kits are essential for swift testing given rising demand for COVID-19 testing in Bulgaria."
In response, President Moon said, "Korea will give positive consideration to providing assistance to Bulgaria," adding, "Let's discuss the quantity, schedule and methods of shipment in detail through the diplomatic channels of both countries."
"I highly evaluate Korea's technological competency, science, clinical data and experience in treatment," Prime Minister Borissov said, adding, "I will directly explain to the Bulgarian parliament that Korea, having faced the COVID-19 outbreak ahead of Bulgaria, is implementing quarantine measures that provide hope."
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