By Kim Young Deok and Lee Jihae

President Moon Jae-in and Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid on April 8 discussed over the phone bilateral cooperation in responding to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

President Kaljulaid said she suggested the phone call because she wanted to directly hear how Korea is responding to COVID-19, adding that her country is keeping a close watch on the process of Korea's successful handling of the outbreak.

She said she found it interesting that Korea is focusing more on voluntary compliance rather than coercion, adding that she wants to refer to Korea not only in combating the outbreak, but also its economic revitalization efforts after the pandemic ends.

President Moon expressed his active will to share Korea's quarantine and treatment experience and clinical data, saying, "Now, what matters most for overcoming COVID-19 is the cooperation and solidarity of the international community."

"Korea will play an active role to promote international solidarity in COVID-19 responses."

On the same day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha spoke on the phone with Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto on cooperation to tackle COVID-19. Both ministers agreed that the two countries are closely cooperating to combat the outbreak, and that they should transcend bilateral cooperation by conducting multilateral cooperation in international organizations.

Earlier on April 7, Minister Kang spoke to United Arab Emirates counterpart Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on bilateral cooperation to combat COVID-19.

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