Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consults on Entry Ban Countries and Business Entry Allowance Measures Related to COVID-19

Emphasis on the Need for Continued Economic Exchange... "Consultations Underway with 24-25 Countries"
Discussions on Various Measures Including Issuance of Government Guarantee Certificates

Korean tourists who arrived on the first charter flight operated by the Israeli government gathered at the arrival hall of Terminal 1, Incheon International Airport on the 25th. / Yeongjongdo - Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is making direct phone calls to foreign ministers of countries that have imposed entry bans on South Korea, requesting them to refrain from excessive measures. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is negotiating with about 20 countries that have entry restrictions to allow business trips by corporate officials.

A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained in an unofficial briefing on the 2nd, "We are negotiating ways for businesspeople who cannot enter those countries due to entry bans to be allowed entry," adding, "We are in talks with 24 to 25 countries, but it is taking time for the governments of those countries to review the matter."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reportedly emphasizing that essential personnel must be able to move in and out to maintain bilateral economic exchanges. As of the 2nd, 36 countries have banned entry of foreigners who have visited South Korea, including Koreans.

Earlier, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun reportedly instructed at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on the 29th of last month to prepare practical measures allowing entry if the government guarantees a certificate.

The senior official said, "We are discussing various measures, including government-guaranteed certificates," and added, "Each country has its circumstances and may prefer different measures."

Additionally, Minister Kang is compiling a list of countries requiring direct calls and is contacting them as soon as coordination is possible. The senior official explained, "We plan to have calls with necessary countries this week as well."

Following a call with the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the 1st, Minister Kang requested the foreign ministers of Canada and the Maldives to lift excessive measures on the same day.

The Maldives, which had planned to ban entry of foreigners who visited Daegu, Gyeongsang Province, Busan, Seoul, and Gyeonggi Province starting from the 3rd, decided to allow entry only for passengers boarding flights departing from Seoul.

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