Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Extremely Regret Japan's Entry Restrictions, Considering Reciprocal Measures" ... 'Entry Refusal' Regulation

"Insufficient Prior Consultation... Suspecting Other Intentions"
Domita Koji, Japanese Ambassador to Korea, Scheduled for Summons

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed strong regret over Japan's decision to strengthen entry restrictions on arrivals from Korea, calling it an unreasonable and excessive measure taken without sufficient consultation, and stated that it will take all possible reciprocal measures. The Japanese government has announced additional measures such as a "14-day quarantine" and "ban on visa-free entry" for arrivals from Korea.

On the 6th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a text message to reporters in the morning, defining Japan's measures as entry refusal actions, stating, "Despite our government's repeated calls for careful consideration of additional measures to the Japanese side, we express extreme regret that such unreasonable and excessive measures were taken without prior sufficient consultation with us, and we strongly urge an immediate reconsideration of these measures."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added, "While our government is making every effort at the whole-of-government level to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the world is evaluating our excellent testing and diagnostic capabilities as well as our transparent and proactive quarantine efforts, and since this measure was taken at a time when the results of our containment efforts are becoming visible, we cannot help but suspect that there may be motives other than quarantine."

Accordingly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to review all possible measures, prioritizing the health and safety of our citizens, including whether to designate Japan as a contaminated area or raise travel alerts in response to Japan's recent measures.

Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans for First Vice Minister Cho Se-young to summon Koji Tomita (富田浩司), the Japanese Ambassador to Korea, to repeatedly express protest and regret. Previously, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called Kim Jeong-han, Director of the Asia-Pacific Bureau of Japan, to meet with Hirohisa Soma, the Charg? d'Affaires at the Japanese Embassy in Korea, to hear explanations. At that meeting, they pointed out that the unilateral measures were taken without sufficient prior consultation and that the measures are excessive and unreasonable, expressing strong regret and protest.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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