"Quarantine Backward Countries Banned from Entry; Measures to Be Lifted Once Situation Calms" ... 'Premature Optimism' Again Under Fire

Japan, Australia Announce Strict Entry Restrictions... Entry Bans on 102 Countries
Government Fails to Secure Passenger List of Japanese Cruise Ship 'Diamond Princess'

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is responding to reporters' questions while on her way to meet the rapid response team formed to support Korean nationals quarantined in Vietnam due to COVID-19 prevention measures at Terminal 1 departure hall of Incheon International Airport on the 5th. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] As countries considered advanced in quarantine measures have imposed entry bans and strengthened entry procedures on arrivals from Korea, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha's remark that "countries without quarantine capabilities are taking crude measures such as entry bans" has become controversial.

Minister Kang made this comment on the 4th during a National Assembly session in response to a question from Park Byeong-seok of the Democratic Party of Korea, who asked, "What efforts is the foreign ministry making regarding extremely unfair measures such as suddenly imposing entry restrictions after our aircraft have already departed?"

On the 5th, after visiting Incheon Airport to encourage the rapid response team departing for Vietnam, Minister Kang told reporters, "As a result of intensive testing for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) centered in Daegu, the number of confirmed cases was very high, but I think it will decrease going forward," and added, "As the domestic situation calms down, I expect various restrictions to be lifted."

However, Australia and Japan's sudden and stringent entry restrictions without prior consultation with the Korean government have rendered Minister Kang's remarks ineffective. Australia announced that from the 5th to the 11th, it would ban entry of all foreigners who have visited Korea within 14 days prior to entry and would decide on renewal afterward.

Following this, Japan significantly strengthened its existing entry ban measures. Starting from the 9th, Japan will implement additional measures such as "suspension of single and multiple visa validity," "14-day quarantine at designated locations for foreigners entering after visiting Korea or China," and "limiting arrival airports for passenger flights to Narita and Kansai airports."

Regarding this, Shim Jae-cheol, floor leader of the United Future Party, stated at a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 6th, "Minister Kang said that 'entry bans are measures taken by countries without quarantine capabilities.' Then, are Japan and Australia backward countries without quarantine capabilities?" He added, "Those countries unanimously say that quarantine and the lives and safety of their citizens take precedence over diplomacy." Shim also warned, "Considering the trend of Korea-phobia, the United States might soon join as well," and "If the U.S. also blocks entry of our citizens, the damage would be unimaginable."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had planned to prevent external inflow by securing the list of about 3,700 passengers aboard the Japanese cruise ship 'Diamond Princess' in early last month but failed to do so. A government official explained, "We understand that the shipping company and the U.S. and Japanese governments have the passenger lists," adding, "Due to restrictions such as personal information protection, we could not secure the list." The official further stated, "Since Japanese passengers who boarded underwent self-quarantine and the likelihood of their entering Korea is low, we judged that securing the list would be practically meaningless."

Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the number of countries imposing entry restrictions on arrivals from Korea has reached 102 (as of 10 a.m. that day). Although measures related to COVID-19 vary widely by country, with Australia, Russia, the Philippines, and India among those banning entry, the psychological threshold of 100 countries has been surpassed.

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