South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks on the government's supplementary revised budget bill at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea on May 16, 2022. (JEON HEON-KYUN / POOL PHOTO VIA AP)
SEOUL – The Republic of Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol said on Monday the country will spare no effort to help the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as the nation battles a COVID-19 outbreak, and reiterated he will remain open for humanitarian aid.
The Republic of Korea's unification ministry has offered to hold working-level talks with the DPRK on offering support, the ministry said on Monday
ALSO READ: DPRK taking 'swift measures' against virus as death toll hits 42
"If North Korea responds (to our support), we will spare no medicines including COVID-19 vaccines, medical equipment and health personnel," said Yoon in a speech at the plenary session of the National Assembly. The DPRK is also referred to as North Korea.
Separately in the speech, Yoon also said he will discuss with US President Joe Biden ways to strengthen cooperation on the global supply chain through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. Biden is scheduled to visit the country this week.
READ MORE: COVID-19: DPRK's Kim orders military to 'stabilize' drug supply
Meanwhile, the ROK's unification ministry has offered to hold working-level talks with the DPRK on offering support, the ministry said.
The ministry, charged with maintaining relations between the two nations, said it had expressed willingness to provide medicines, from vaccines to test kits, as well as technical co-operation, based on the ROK's experience with quarantine.