By Kim Young Deok and Lee Jihae

President Moon Jae-in on April 13 held phone talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on bilateral cooperation to fight the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On the pandemic, President Mirziyoyev said Korea, backed by President Moon's leadership and Korea's superb public health care, has demonstrated the best possible results in the situation. He then expressed his deep gratitude for Korea's humanitarian assistance to the Central Asian nation and the dispatch of a Korean medical specialist.

President Mirziyoyev also said the specialist is sharing Korea's advanced know-how in epidemic prevention and medical treatment experience, calling it a great help to both the Uzbek government and people for overcoming the crisis.

President Moon responded by saying, "I believe that now the most important thing for overcoming the COVID-19 crisis is the cooperation and solidarity of the international community. Korea will continue to play a proactive role going forward with regard to international solidarity for responding to COVID-19."

Later on the same day, President Moon had a phone call with Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, who said he is well aware that Korea has been successfully dealing with the outbreak by rapidly testing, tracing and treating confirmed cases. The prime minister also requested emergency assistance from Korea, saying the most urgent need for Bhutan is COVID-19 diagnostic kits.

President Moon said, "Korea is providing humanitarian assistance such as testing kits and other supplies to nations that have lesser developed public healthcare systems. We aim to help as many countries as possible," adding, "We will also positively examine Bhutan's request."

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