Modi hails South Korea’s tech-based response, thanks for medical supplies

As part of his global outreach against the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to South Korean President Moon Jae-in on April 9 and thanked him for the medical supplies to India while commending its technology-based response against the virus.Mr Modi expressed appreciation to the South Korean government for facilitating medical equipment supplies to Indian companies. The two leaders also shared information about the steps being taken in the respective countries to tackle the pandemic. Mr Modi lauded South Korea’s technology-based response in managing the crisis during his conversation with President Moon, and expressed satisfaction at the increasingly close ties between both the countries, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.The World Health Organization and some world leaders have praised South Korea for its effective handling of the pandemic despite challenges. According to news reports, some 10,000 people were infected, of which some 200 have died to date. The fatalities have been on the lower side considering the time since the first case was reported in January. In some countries, though, such as the United States, it took less than a month to infect 100,000 people. “President Moon Jae-in appreciated the way the Indian authorities have motivated the Indian population to fight the pandemic with the unity of purpose,” it said. The Korean leader thanked the Prime Minister for the support being provided to Korean citizens in India.The two leaders also discussed the challenges posed by the pandemic to the global health systems and economic situation and agreed that their experts would continue to consult each other and share experiences as they research solutions for COVID-19.Mr Modi also conveyed his best wishes to President Moon for the forthcoming National Assembly Elections in South Korea.