1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang, Kyung-wha spoke over the phone with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the afternoon of March 9. Minister Kang explained in detail the exact situation in the Republic of Korea regarding the COVID-19 outbreak as well as the ROK government’s quarantine efforts against the virus, and expressed deep regret over the entry ban that the Saudi Arabian government imposed on Korean nationals on March 8.

o Minister Kang stressed that the ROK government is making all-out efforts based on its strong diagnostic capabilities, including providing relevant information to the public in a prompt and transparent manner and implementing scientific measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.

o In addition, Minister Kang asked the Saudi Arabian government to reconsider the entry ban so that Korean businesspeople can enter the country without inconvenience, as Korean companies are significantly contributing to Saudi Arabia’s economic development in the country’s major infrastructure projects.

2. Minister Faisal expressed gratitude for Minister Kang’s detailed explanation and highly appreciated the ROK’s transparent and open response.

o Minister Faisal explained that the entry ban was inevitable due to the continued increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia, and hoped to overcome the COVID-19 outbreak and continue to strengthen people-to-people exchanges and cooperative relations between the two countries.

o Minister Faisal noted that Korean companies are contributing to Saudi Arabia’s economic development, and said that his Ministry, along with other relevant government agencies, will actively look into ways to ease the entry ban on Korean businesspeople.

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3. The two Ministers also discussed issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in the defense industry and an Agreement on Mutual Waiver of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports, and agreed to continue close cooperation.