US Balances National Security and ROK-US Alliance... State Department Raises Travel Advisory to Level 3

Following CDC, US State Department Advises Travel Reconsideration for the First Time
Ambassador Lee Soo-hyuk: "Closely Consulting on Measures to Be Taken by the US Side"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young, New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The U.S. Department of State raised its travel advisory for South Korea from Level 2 to Level 3, recommending "reconsider travel," on the 26th (local time), following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Concerns are growing about the impact of this measure. This is the first time the U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 3 travel advisory for South Korea.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained on the 27th that the U.S. Department of State followed up with the advisory upgrade in line with the CDC's travel advisory increase. A Foreign Ministry official said, "The U.S. Department of State generally tends to refer to the CDC's measures," adding, "As far as we know, this is the first time for a Level 3 advisory." However, the official clarified, "There is no impact on the entry of our citizens."

The U.S. Department of State's move was largely anticipated. However, since it came after U.S. President Donald Trump denied any travel or entry bans on South Korea, it is understood that the U.S. took minimal response measures while excluding the worst-case scenario.

The State Department's action followed the CDC's upgrade of South Korea's travel advisory to the highest Level 3. The fact that the State Department did not immediately align its advisory with the CDC's suggests a willingness to monitor the situation further before responding, but ultimately, it proceeded in the expected direction.

By combining President Trump's remarks and the State Department's measures, the U.S. appears to present to its citizens the perception that the highest level of action against South Korea is not yet necessary, while simultaneously raising the warning level. This dual approach signals responsiveness to changing circumstances and aims to manage relations with South Korea, a key ally, balancing two objectives.

Regarding this, Ambassador Lee Soo-hyuk to the U.S. stated on the same day, "We are actively explaining our government's response to the U.S. and closely consulting on the measures the U.S. side will take." However, the U.S. Department of State only issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Italy, where the COVID-19 outbreak has also spread. This appears to reflect the assessment that South Korea might be somewhat riskier than Italy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs seemed unaware of the State Department's action beforehand and appeared flustered, unable to promptly prepare an explanation following the announcement.

This U.S. measure coincides with the rapidly increasing number of countries imposing strict entry restrictions on South Korea. Since the first confirmed COVID-19 case, the cumulative number of patients in South Korea has exceeded 1,200 within a month, prompting many countries worldwide to impose stringent entry restrictions on Koreans and foreigners who have transited through South Korea. Especially after the South Korean government raised the infectious disease crisis alert to the highest level, "serious," last weekend, the number of countries completely banning entry has surged, heightening concerns.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related agencies, 21 countries and regions have banned entry of Koreans and foreigners who have transited through South Korea, including Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, and Israel. This figure includes countries that allow entry only after 14 days have passed since departure from South Korea. Japan banned entry of foreigners who visited Daegu and Cheongdo regions within the last 14 days starting from midnight on the same day.

Countries and regions that have not banned entry but have strengthened entry procedures increased to 21, including the United Kingdom, Thailand, Oman, Qatar, Macau, and Taiwan. These countries have enhanced quarantine measures or require self-isolation or quarantine at designated locations for foreigners who have transited through South Korea. As a result, the total number of countries implementing entry bans or restrictions surged to 32.

Notably, the number of countries imposing entry bans has significantly increased since the South Korean government raised the infectious disease crisis alert to the highest "serious" level on the 23rd. Before the alert was raised to "serious," only 6 to 7 countries had officially banned entry, fewer than those that strengthened entry procedures, but the number has nearly tripled within a week. Many countries chose the highest-level lockdown measures such as entry bans rather than just strengthening entry procedures.

The number of countries completely blocking entry of Koreans and foreigners who have visited South Korea is likely to continue rising sharply for the time being. Following Japan, the Philippines announced in a press briefing the previous day that it would ban entry of travelers from Gyeongbuk Province and is considering expanding the target areas. Currently, about 130 countries are known to have banned or restricted entry of Chinese nationals and foreigners who have visited China.

Moreover, some local governments in China have independently started imposing entry restrictions regardless of infectious disease symptoms on both domestic and foreign nationals, which may lead to a rapid increase in entry bans or restrictions. Forced quarantine of foreigners, including Koreans, has been confirmed in Weihai, Shandong Province; Nanjing, Jiangsu Province; and Shenyang, Liaoning Province, showing a spreading trend.

Although the South Korean government is actively using diplomatic channels to prevent excessive measures by other countries, the actual effectiveness remains uncertain. On the 25th, Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Gun convened a briefing for the foreign diplomatic corps in Korea at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, and the day before, urgently summoned Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming to discuss entry restrictions, but these efforts have not yielded results. Ambassador Xing told reporters the previous day, "The Chinese government has not imposed restrictions on Korean nationals," adding, "Many of those quarantined are Chinese nationals. We ask for understanding and cooperation."

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