NEWS BRIEF

[Anchor Lead]

In efforts to assist the swift development of a coronavirus vaccine, the government will review related laws to enable the sampling of blood from COVID-19 patients for research purposes. Clinical tests involving 7 existing drugs are also under way for the search of a cure with a treatment possibly introduced as early as this year.
North Korean media has reported that leader Kim Jong-un sent a verbal message to Chinese President Xi Jinping in regards to COVID-19. In the message, Kim highly assessed China's successful fight against the unprecedented epidemic and congratulated Xi for his strategic and tactical management of the overall situation.
The Ministry of Science and ICT announced Friday that the city of Cheongju has been chosen as the site to build South Korea's next-generation synchrotron radiation accelerator, a mega state project worth one trillion won. The radiation accelerator, is considered a key facility for the development of core technologies in the materials and components industry, such as new medicine, displays and bio-science.
In a briefing Friday which marks Parents Day in Korea, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters said it will discuss ways for children to visit parents at nursing homes, while making sure preventive measures on infectious disease are strictly in place. Health Minister Park Neung-hoo said senior citizens had a difficult time in pursuing their activities during the pandemic due to the closure of elderly centers.