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Travelers bound for Paris go through precautionary screenings at Incheon International Airport on Mar. 16. (Yonhap News)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has agreed to take part in a prospective cohort study of South Korean cases of COVID-19, the disease resulting from the novel coronavirus, that’s being led by local researchers. This means that research into the spread of the novel coronavirus in South Korea could provide the grounds for drawing up guidelines or recommendations for countries around the world. A number of countries have also been looking into importing materials connected with South Korea’s COVID-19 testing kits.

“The WHO has asked to be allowed to participate in our research since it could be used as the basis for creating guidelines and recommendations for various countries. On Mar. 18, the National Medical Center will begin hosting meetings to prepare for the prospective cohort study of domestic cases of COVID-19,” said Kwon Jun-wook, deputy director of South Korea’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) and director of the National Institute of Health, during a daily briefing on Mar. 17.

Two experts from WHO headquarters are planning to make an emergency visit to South Korea to attend the meeting. Since COVID-19 is a new infectious disease for which there’s no vaccine, researchers are still working to understand the nature of the disease. In this study, the disease control authorities are planning to monitor clinical characteristics and changes among COVID-19 patients. The goal is to determine when the virus appears in blood, urine, stool, and respiratory samples taken from patients, how much of the virus is contained in those samples, and how long it takes for the virus to disappear after symptoms manifest.

On Tuesday, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said it was receiving an increasing number of inquiries from countries hoping to import goods or receive grant aid. The countries interested in imports are asking for samples, introductions to South Korean companies, and bids from South Korean companies.

“In regard to requests for exports, our primary consideration will be whether that would have an impact on domestic demand. The requests for grant aid will be subject to thorough deliberation by the related ministries,” said a senior MOFA official.

By Noh Ji-won and Park Min-hee, staff reporters

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