By Kim Hyelin and Lee Hana

President Moon Jae-in on June 12 held a phone summit with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández Alvarado on bilateral cooperation in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak.

President Moon expressed his gratitude to the Honduran government for ensuring the safe return of Korean nationals from Honduras amid the pandemic, including staff from the Korean International Cooperation Agency.

He then asked that Honduras continue to stay interested in and support Korean companies operating there and their resumption of economic activities.

President Hernández replied by saying such efforts by his government were only natural, and that his government would help Korean businesses in his country resume operations.

The Honduran leader also congratulated President Moon on Korea’s successful management of the pandemic through an excellent system of infectious disease prevention and control. He also hailed the leadership of both Korea and President Moon, and thanked Seoul for providing humanitarian support and sharing its experience in coronavirus prevention and control, which have immensely helped Honduras's response to COVID-19.

President Moon said he hoped the sharing of Korea’s experience was helpful, urging the international community to engage in solidarity and cooperation to prepare for the post-COVID-19 era instead of seeking individual ways to survive.

The 25-minute phone talks began at 10:30 a.m. Korean Standard Time at the request of President Hernández.

President Moon has held summit talks with 37 heads of state over the phone on COVID-19.

kimhyelin211@korea.kr