South Korea has officially prioritized the United States, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia for exporting quarantine supplies, such as coronavirus test kits.
Nearly 120 countries currently seek to secure the products manufactured in South Korea, pushing Seoul's foreign ministry to strike a balance between domestic demand and the export or humanitarian provision of quarantine items.
According to the ministry, the countries in need of COVID-19 test kits and other items have sought to import them or receive them as humanitarian aid through government channels or private-sector routes.
The official said the U.S. is a priority as the country has seen a spike in new infections, and it also has not barred the entry of South Korean citizens and struck a currency swap deal with Seoul.
The UAE and Indonesia are on the list owing to their history of partnership and cooperation with South Korea.■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
<Photo: Yonhap News>
