'Korea Phobia' Worldwide Chain Lockdowns Leave South Korean Diplomacy Helpless

Forced quarantine without consultation in multiple regions including Shandong and Liaoning provinces in China
Israel, Mauritius, Jordan, Vietnam, and others also impose entry restrictions without prior consultation
Criticism and concerns over weak diplomatic channels
South Korea's entry restrictions increase to 25 countries

On the 28th, as concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus infection intensified with the occurrence of the fourth confirmed case, quarantine officials at Incheon International Airport conducted inspections on arrivals from China. Starting from this day, health authorities mandated the submission of a 'Health Status Questionnaire' from all entrants coming from China to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection. / Yeongjongdo - Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Measures restricting the entry of Koreans are being implemented worldwide, including China, which forcibly quarantined Koreans without prior notice. In particular, many countries have banned or restricted entry without prior consultation, raising criticism of the lax diplomatic channels. Meanwhile, the Korean government is maintaining existing measures against foreigners, including Chinese nationals, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, leading to criticism that the government is responding sluggishly.

Weihai City in Shandong Province, China, announced that from the 25th, all individuals entering via Korea, Japan, and other countries will be forcibly quarantined for 14 days. As a result, all 163 Jeju Air passengers (19 Koreans) who departed from Incheon Airport were quarantined. This decision was reportedly made without prior consultation with the Korean government. Shenyang City in Liaoning Province also mandated COVID-19 testing for all passengers arriving from Korea and required them to self-isolate for 14 days even if asymptomatic. Additionally, at least 40 Koreans arriving at Nanjing Airport in Jiangsu Province were quarantined in hotels designated by Chinese authorities after three Chinese passengers showed fever symptoms.

Despite the series of entry restrictions without prior consultation within China, the Korean government has not made any significant official response. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has only stated plans to focus on consular assistance after assessing the local situation. Previously, the Ministry expressed strong regret to Israel, Mauritius, and Jordan, which imposed entry bans without prior consultation. It also officially protested through diplomatic channels to Vietnam, which quarantined 20 Koreans who traveled from Daegu to Da Nang in hospitals.

In response, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha belatedly assessed that the measures by some Chinese local governments were excessive. However, criticism has arisen that there was no prior preparation for such unilateral actions that violate general diplomatic norms. Attending the Stockholm Initiative Ministerial Meeting on Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) held in Berlin, Germany, Minister Kang told reporters on the 25th (local time) that the quarantine measures in some parts of China were "excessive as a primary judgment," adding, "We have also exercised considerable restraint in responding to China, and it is necessary to continue communication with China so that they also exercise restraint and do not respond excessively."

A greater concern is that many countries and Chinese local governments that recently imposed entry restrictions on Koreans did not conduct prior consultations through diplomatic channels. Even considering the urgent situations of each country, the lack of tightly functioning diplomatic channels is pointed out as a reason why such cases could spread not only within China but also to other countries. So far, countries that have restricted entry of Koreans without consultation include some regions of China, Israel, Mauritius, Jordan, and Vietnam.

In fact, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs only called the diplomatic corps in Korea to urge restraint on excessive measures after the government raised the crisis alert level to "serious." Kim Geon, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, said at a briefing held at the Ministry yesterday afternoon after explaining to 103 foreign diplomatic missions in Korea, "We explained that the government is implementing strengthened quarantine measures in response to COVID-19," adding, "The goal was to ask them not to take excessive measures based on unfounded fears."

Meanwhile, the number of countries officially restricting entry of foreigners passing through Korea, including Koreans, has increased to 25 (as of 10 p.m. on the 25th). Thirteen countries, including the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Kuwait, have imposed entry bans, while 12 countries, including the Kyrgyz Republic, Taiwan, and Vietnam, have strengthened quarantine and imposed isolation measures. The number of countries banning entry has begun to exceed those strengthening quarantine and isolation measures. The number of countries implementing high-intensity measures is rapidly increasing.

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