South Korean Government's 'Reciprocal Measures' Against Japan's Strengthened Entry Restrictions... Visa-Free Entry Suspended and Travel Alert Raised from the 9th (Comprehensive)

Suspension of Visa Exemption and Existing Visa Validity... Special Entry Procedures for Foreigners from Japan Applied
Government: "Japan's Unclear and Passive Quarantine... Measures Considering Vulnerability in COVID-19 Response"

Japan has decided to strengthen entry restrictions on travelers arriving from Korea starting from the 9th, citing the prevention of the spread of COVID-19. Kang Kyung-wha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is heading to her seat for a meeting after summoning Koji Domita, the Japanese Ambassador to Korea, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 6th. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The South Korean government has retaliated against Japan, which unilaterally strengthened its entry restrictions, with "corresponding measures." Starting from the 9th, the South Korean government will suspend the visa exemption for Japan and apply special entry procedures to foreigners transiting through Japan. The travel advisory for all regions of Japan will also be raised to Level 2. This comes just one day after Japan's measures were announced.

Cho Se-young, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, held an emergency briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building on the afternoon of the 6th and announced these corresponding measures against Japan. Vice Minister Cho stated, "Our government once again expresses deep regret over Japan's unilateral announcement of these measures without prior consultation or notification," and criticized, "It is difficult to accept Japan's unilateral strengthening of entry restrictions targeting our citizens, especially given Japan's opaque and passive quarantine efforts."

Vice Minister Cho also emphasized that while South Korea is recognized by the international community for its transparent, democratic, and efficient quarantine system that strictly controls and manages infectious diseases, Japan is facing numerous questions regarding its vulnerable quarantine conditions and response.

Accordingly, the South Korean government announced plans to implement four corresponding measures against Japan. First, starting at midnight on the 9th, the visa exemption for Japan will be suspended, and the validity of already issued visas will also be suspended. This means that the system allowing short-term stays of up to 90 days without a visa will be halted. Vice Minister Cho explained, "Health verification procedures will be included in the visa issuance process, and depending on future changes in the situation, health certificates may be requested."

He added that in response to Japan's restrictions on arrival and departure airports, "Regarding requests to suspend ship and passenger transport, we will comprehensively consider the potential inconvenience to Korean residents in Japan upon their entry and take corresponding measures later," and "Among the many Korea-Japan routes, airports such as Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae, and Jeju will be selected."

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

For foreigners entering from Japan, special entry procedures currently applied to arrivals from China will be implemented. Whether to take further strengthened measures will be decided while considering the infection spread situation within Japan. Vice Minister Cho said, "Regarding Japan's request for a 14-day quarantine at designated locations for entrants from Korea, starting at midnight on the 9th, special entry procedures will be applied to all foreigners entering from Japan."

The travel advisory for all regions of Japan will also be raised to Level 2. Vice Minister Cho stated, "In response to Japan raising the risk level of infectious diseases for Korea, starting at midnight on the 9th, the travel advisory for all regions of Japan will be upgraded to Level 2, which advises travelers to refrain from travel."

On the previous day, Japan announced that starting from the 9th, it would strengthen quarantine measures for entrants from Korea and China, require them to quarantine for two weeks at locations designated by quarantine officers, and request that they refrain from using public transportation within Japan. Additionally, visa-free entry within 90 days will be suspended until the end of this month, and entry will be denied to foreigners who have stayed in Daegu and Cheongdo in North Gyeongsang Province, as well as Andong, Gyeongsan, Yeongcheon, Chilgok, Uiseong, Seongju, and Gunwi counties. This effectively amounts to a comprehensive entry ban on Korea.

Vice Minister Cho emphasized that these measures against Japan were taken considering the vulnerabilities and questions raised about Japan's quarantine response amid the COVID-19 situation. He explained, "Japan's number of COVID-19 tests is significantly lower compared to ours, and the infection situation there is quite opaque," and added, "Detailed matters related to the announced measures will be prepared through consultations among relevant ministries."

The South Korean government moved urgently on the day to prepare countermeasures against Japan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep regret early in the morning over Japan's unreasonable and excessive measures taken without sufficient prior consultation with Korea and strongly urged immediate reconsideration. The Blue House held a Standing Committee meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) to discuss counter-strategies against Japan's entry restrictions.

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha summoned Koji Tomita, the Japanese Ambassador to Korea, to repeatedly protest and express regret. In her opening remarks, Minister Kang said, "We summoned you to convey our government's stern position regarding Japan's overt strengthening of entry restrictions, including raising the travel advisory for Korea, expanding the list of entry ban areas, and suspending visa validity," and criticized, "This was done at a time when our government is achieving results in blocking the spread of COVID-19, making it highly inappropriate and raising questions about the background."

Japan has decided to strengthen entry restrictions on travelers arriving from Korea starting from the 9th, citing the prevention of the spread of COVID-19. Kang Kyung-wha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is heading to her seat for a meeting after summoning Koji Domita, the Japanese Ambassador to Korea, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 6th. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

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