Many countries are requesting Korean test kits and quarantine supplies to stem the spread of COVID-19. The photo shows President Moon Jae-in on March 25 listening to a briefing at the office of Seegene, a domestic producer of coronavirus diagnostic reagents and kits. (Yonhap News)

By Kim Young Deok and Kim Minji

Requests are flooding in from overseas for Korean diagnostic kits and quarantine items to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 26 said 101 countries have asked through diplomatic channels to import Korea's test kits and humanitarian assistance, attesting to global recognition of Korea's testing capacity for the coronavirus.

After receiving a request for medical device support from U.S. President Donald Trump on March 24, President Moon Jae-in held summit talks over the phone with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on March 27 and with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on March 30. Both leaders expressed high interest in Korea's experience in responding to the outbreak and conducting quarantine.

Showing interest in purchasing Korea's test kits and medical supplies in the talks, President Nauseda suggested the opening of a direct consultation channel with Korean officials for crisis management and health care so that the Baltic nation can learn from the Korean experience.

Many of the assistance requests have gone through the Foreign Ministry in Seoul. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha on March 28 held talks over the phone with her Indonesian counterpart and on March 30 with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, and was asked to provide quarantine supplies including test kits.

Minister Nasser asked to purchase Korean medical devices including test kits, highly rating the nation's capacity for coronavirus testing.

Earlier on March 7, the Moon administration urgently exported 51,000 test kits to the United Arab Emirates at the Arab nation's request.

kyd1991@korea.kr