[Anchor]
Group of 20 leaders are set to meet via videoconference to discuss a coordinated response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The call, which President Moon Jae-in is scheduled to join, will take place tonight at 9 p.m. Seoul time.
Sehhyeong Kim reports.
[Reporter]
According to Cheong Wa Dae, President Moon proposed the meeting to help global efforts to overcome the pandemic.
Seven additional countries, including Spain, Singapore, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates, have been invited to take part in the conversation between the G-20 leaders.
Moon is expected to share how South Korea has been coping with COVID-19 as many countries have recognized and highlighted Seoul handling of the crisis.
He will also likely stress the need for economic exchanges despite border closures, and could call for lifting entry restrictions for businesspersons.
Moon has already spoken with his counterparts in 10 countries, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier Thursday.
The G20 leaders are expected to issue a joint declaration on international coordination against the virus during the call.
Meanwhile, United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has called on the world to act together to fight the virus.
The request came amid squabbling between the leaders of China and the U.S. over who is to blame for COVID-19.
He said "the whole of humanity must fight back," calling the needed effort "a matter of basic human solidarity."
Sehhyeong Kim, eFM News.■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
