China Approves Only One of Two Charter Flights for Wuhan Evacuees... Kang Kyung-wha Says "Ongoing Additional Negotiations"

Charter Flight Likely to Depart from Incheon Airport on the Evening of the 30th
President Moon, Who Led the Inspection Meeting, Says "We Must Firmly Confront Excessive Anxiety and Vague Fear"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Chinese government has notified that it will approve only one of the two charter flights that the South Korean government planned to deploy to evacuate Korean residents staying in Wuhan, China, the origin of the novel coronavirus.

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha announced this at a joint briefing with related ministries on measures against the novel coronavirus infection held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The government had originally planned to deploy two aircraft, an Airbus A330 and a Boeing B747, at 10 a.m. and noon respectively, to transport about 720 Korean residents from Wuhan over two days, January 30 and 31, with two flights per day.

Minister Kang said, "We had been working on a plan to bring back about 700 overseas nationals from Wuhan with four charter flights over two days, two flights each day," adding, "Yesterday evening, China notified us that it would approve only one flight initially." Accordingly, the government is expected to deploy the B747, which can carry more passengers.

The government is currently negotiating with the Chinese government to operate one flight as a priority today. Minister Kang stated, "The Chinese side seems to be operating on the principle of granting permission for one flight first due to multiple requests for temporary flights from the U.S. and Japan, and then accepting requests sequentially," adding, "We are continuing discussions with China regarding additional temporary flights so that overseas nationals can return as soon as possible."

Due to restrictions on symptomatic individuals and movement to gathering points, the actual number of passengers may decrease. Minister Kang explained, "We understand that there are no confirmed or symptomatic cases among the Korean residents," and added, "Symptomatic individuals will likely be excluded during the quarantine process." She further said, "If someone is identified as symptomatic, we will consult with the Chinese side through the consulate general to seek future management measures."

The government is also discussing support measures for Korean residents who have difficulty moving to the gathering points in Wuhan. Minister Kang said, "We are continuously receiving individual cases," and added, "We are discussing whether additional transportation is available for those who cannot arrive."

Meanwhile, President Moon Jae-in chaired a comprehensive meeting on the response to the novel coronavirus and said, "The repatriation of about 700 Korean residents isolated in Wuhan will begin today," adding, "The government will manage the situation thoroughly so that residents in areas where temporary living facilities are operated do not worry." Amid the global situation where countries are repatriating their nationals via charter flights due to the novel coronavirus outbreak originating in China, the South Korean government is taking measures while directly addressing the opposition from residents near domestic quarantine areas.

He said, "So far, no confirmed or suspected cases of infection have been identified among the local Korean residents," and added, "According to consultations with the Chinese government, only those without symptoms after quarantine will board the temporary flights."

The facilities where the repatriated residents will be quarantined are government official training centers located in Asan, Chungnam, and Jincheon, Chungbuk. President Moon appealed to the nearby residents who are strongly opposing, saying, "I ask for your understanding and cooperation," and "I repeatedly promise that there is no need to be anxious."

He also said, "What we must confront is not only the virus. We must firmly confront excessive anxiety and vague fear," warning, "The production and distribution of fake news that incites distrust and anxiety is a serious criminal act that hinders quarantine efforts and threatens public safety." Furthermore, he expressed concern about "excessive economic sentiment contraction," urging officials from related ministries to "make every effort to manage the economic situation."

Amid delays in the charter flight schedule for transporting Korean residents living in Wuhan, China, the flight schedule to Wuhan is displayed on the departure board at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport on the 30th. / Yeongjongdo = Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.