Abe's 'Political Crisis Escape' Measure... Will Korea Play the GSOMIA Card?

After Japan Strengthens Entry Restrictions on Korea: Fallout
Rising Leadership Crisis in Japan, Political Intentions Suspected
Foreign Ministry Points Out "Suspicion of Intent Beyond Quarantine Measures"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Ryu Jeong-min, Yang Nak-gyu, Lim Cheol-young] The relationship between South Korea and Japan, which had shown signs of improvement, has frozen again as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe implemented entry restrictions on South Korea as a political escape card from his crisis.

On the morning of the 6th, the Blue House convened a Standing Committee of the National Security Council (NSC) to discuss countermeasures, highlighting the seriousness of the issue. Both the South Korean and Japanese governments are struggling with the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), but Japan was the first to draw the "sword." Kim Sang-jo, Chief of the Blue House Policy Office, appeared on "KBS News 9" the day before and said, "I have doubts about whether Japan is as transparent as we are, and I deeply regret such extreme measures."

Since the 27th of last month, Japan has restricted entry to foreigners who visited Daegu and Cheongdo. However, starting from the 9th, additional measures will be implemented, including ▲ suspension of single and multiple visa validity ▲ mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated locations for foreigners entering after visiting South Korea or China ▲ limiting arrival airports for passenger flights to Narita and Kansai airports.

On the 6th, illegal foreign residents are lining up to voluntarily report their departure at the Ministry of Justice Immigration Service Center in Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

What is noteworthy is the observation that Japan's choice hides political intentions. Prime Minister Abe was facing a weakening grip on state affairs due to the spread of COVID-19. Suspicions that the Japanese government was deliberately downplaying the scale of confirmed COVID-19 cases led to a political crisis. Even the possibility of postponing the Tokyo Olympics was circulating inside and outside Japan. Japan's additional pressure on South Korea is seen as an attempt to divert public attention.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also does not hide its suspicion that Japan's decision goes beyond COVID-19 quarantine issues and has "other intentions." The World Health Organization (WHO) has evaluated the decrease in South Korea's new COVID-19 cases as encouraging, yet "excessive measures" have been taken. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out, "The world is evaluating our excellent testing and diagnostic capabilities and transparent and proactive quarantine efforts, and since this measure was taken at a time when the results of efforts to prevent the spread are visible, we cannot help but suspect that there are intentions other than quarantine."

Prime Minister Abe's choice will inevitably lead to a deterioration of South Korea-Japan relations. The Blue House convened the NSC Standing Committee on this day partly because the scheduled meeting the day before was postponed due to the National Assembly schedule, but also to seek corresponding measures against Japan. Discussions related to the delivery of a letter from North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un are also taking place, but the focus is on diplomatic responses related to COVID-19.

Possible corresponding measures that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related departments can take include designating Japan as a COVID-19 contaminated area and raising travel alerts. This would involve strengthening quarantine for arrivals from Japan and restricting South Koreans traveling to Japan. Previously, despite growing concerns over the increase in COVID-19 cases in Japan, the government imposed virtually no restrictions on South Koreans traveling to Japan, except for the Fukushima nuclear power plant area (evacuation recommended). On the 29th of last month, only a "Level 1 (Travel Caution)" travel alert was issued for all of Japan.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "Raising the travel alert is a response that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can take, and designating a contaminated area is done by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention." There is also speculation that specific countermeasures will be decided after First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Se-young summoned Koji Tomita, the Japanese Ambassador to South Korea, to repeatedly express protest and regret.

If the government takes corresponding measures, South Korea-Japan military diplomacy is expected to take a "downward path." Depending on the situation, there is even the possibility of terminating the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) between South Korea and Japan. This would also affect the United States, which wants to extend the GSOMIA, potentially leading to friction over the defense cost-sharing negotiations for the US Forces Korea. Regarding this, the South Korean and US defense ministers met in Washington DC on the 24th of last month (local time) to discuss the issue but reportedly failed to narrow their differences.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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