Government gives envoys briefing

By Do Je-hae

Diplomatic corps in Seoul attends the foreign ministry’s briefing on the government’s response to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) at foreign ministry’s headquarters, Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap

The Ministry of Foregin Affairs briefed the diplomatic corps in Seoul Monday about the government’s response to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

Ambassador for Overseas Koreans and Consular Affairs Lee Ki-cheol and officials from relevant ministries hosted the session.

Lee tried to assuage the diplomats’ concerns about doing business in Korea or traveling here given the MERS outbreak.

“Last week, there were reports that many foreigners canceled or postponed their trips to Korea for fear of this disease,” Lee said.

“However, when I came to know more about the disease and updated information about the analysis of the samples of the disease conducted by Korea, the U.S. and the Netherlands, I came to a conclusion that my worries in the past were groundless mainly based on my misunderstanding.”

The session addressed diplomats’ concerns about the disease and provided explanations about the government’s containment efforts.

“The government’s strong determination to combat this disease, stressed by Dr. Choi Kyung-hwan, the acting prime minister of Korea, further strengthened my belief that Korea will successfully overcome this disease in the near future,” Lee added.

It is rare for the ministry to host a briefing for diplomats on a medical issue, as briefings for the diplomatic corps have mostly revolved around international events taking place in Korea.

The ministry briefing came amid increasing negative reports from foreign media about the government’s response to the virus that has resulted in more than 2,300 people being quarantined.

A recent Huffington Post report criticized the “secretive nature of South Korea government” that hampered public trust in its handling of the outbreak.

The ministry held a task force meeting last week to keep the outbreak from undermining Korea’s global image.

The government has been concerned that continued negative reports will affect tourism and fuel anti-Korean sentiment abroad.