Lockdown Lifted, Korea Chooses 'Titpotet' for Japan... Korea-Japan Entry Measures Clash on the 9th

Minister Kang Kyung-hwa "Questions on the Background of Japan's Measures"... Government Concludes It Is a Result of Political Considerations
Suspension of Visa Waiver, Suspension of Valid Visas, Travel Alert Raised, Special Entry Procedures Applied
"Additional Responses Depending on Situation" Leaves Door Open for Stronger Measures
Unnecessary 'Interstate Fairness Controversy' Remains a Task to Resolve

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 Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The South Korean government has also slammed the door on Japan. In response to Japan's sudden decision to strengthen entry restrictions without sufficient prior consultation, the South Korean government responded within a day with a 'tit-for-tat' strategy. This comes amid global efforts to combat the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), with the judgment that Japan's strengthened entry restrictions are a political consideration disguised as COVID-19 prevention measures.

On the afternoon of the 6th, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha unusually summoned Koji Tomita, the Japanese Ambassador to South Korea, directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Doryeom-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, mentioning diplomatic 'reciprocity' and sharply criticizing, "It is very inappropriate that this measure was taken at a time when our government has achieved results in preventing and blocking the spread of COVID-19 through a transparent and robust quarantine system, and there is no way not to question the background."

Japanese media such as Mainichi, Asahi, and Yomiuri have also raised doubts about the effectiveness of the measure, calling it a political outcome made by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe without properly reflecting expert opinions. Criticism continued that this measure, following the nationwide school closure order previously implemented by Prime Minister Abe, was a half-baked decision not sufficiently discussed internally. It is known that the Prime Minister's Office led all aspects of this measure.

The South Korean government's strengthened entry restrictions against Japan on the 6th cover four major areas. It clearly states that the intensity of the response will be increased according to the inconvenience and damage caused to South Korean citizens by Japan's unilateral strengthening of entry restrictions, adjusting the qualitative level accordingly. The implementation date of the 'corresponding measures' is fixed as the 9th, the same as Japan's enforcement date, with no separate deadline set.

The Japanese government previously took comprehensive measures in four areas: entry bans, visa restrictions, quarantine intensification, and restrictions on air and sea transport. From the 9th until the end of this month, Japan will strengthen quarantine for entrants from South Korea and China, require them to stay for two weeks at locations designated by the quarantine chief, 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 the month, and the validity of single and multiple-entry visas will be suspended.

Japan also expanded the entry ban areas within South Korea. In addition to Daegu and Cheongdo in North Gyeongsang Province, foreigners who have stayed in Andong, Gyeongsan, Yeongcheon, Chilgok, Uiseong, Seongju, and Gunwi counties will also be denied entry. Furthermore, arrival airports for passenger flights are limited to Narita and Kansai airports, and passenger transport by ship from South Korea and China has been requested to be suspended. This is effectively a comprehensive entry ban on South Korea. Moreover, these measures were reported through Japanese media before diplomatic channels were activated.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Following Japan's sudden measures, the government announced four 'corresponding measures'

The South Korean government will first suspend visa exemption for Japan starting at midnight on the 9th and suspend the validity of already issued visas. This means that the system allowing short-term stays within 90 days without a visa will be halted. At an emergency briefing at 7:45 p.m. the previous day, Cho Se-young, the first vice foreign minister, explained that in addition to suspending visa exemption, "a health verification process will be included in the visa issuance process, and depending on future changes in the situation, a health certificate may be requested."

Quarantine will also be strengthened. The special entry procedures currently applied to foreigners entering from China will also be applied to foreigners arriving from Japan. Vice Minister Cho said, "Regarding Japan's request for entrants from South Korea to stay for 14 days at designated locations, special entry procedures will be applied to all foreigners entering from Japan starting at midnight on the 9th." He added that whether to take more strengthened measures will be decided while considering the infection spread situation within Japan.

Travel advisories for all regions of Japan have also been raised to level 2. Vice Minister Cho said, "In response to Japan raising the risk information level for infections related to South Korea, from midnight on the 9th, we will raise the travel advisory for all regions of Japan to level 2, which means 'exercise caution'." On the 1st, Japan raised the travel advisory for Daegu and Cheongdo in North Gyeongsang Province to level 3, meaning 'travel suspension,' and on the 5th, it raised the infection risk information for other regions in South Korea, excluding nine areas including Daegu and Cheongdo where 'visit suspension' was already recommended, to level 2, meaning 'recommend suspension of unnecessary visits.'

In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 7th that it raised the travel advisory to level 2, adding, "The adjustment of the travel advisory level reflects concerns about the recent unclear infection situation and weak response in Japan, which has raised many questions from the international community, and the ongoing spread of COVID-19, making the exposure of our citizens to infection risks more worrisome."

Regarding corresponding measures for Japan's restrictions on landing and takeoff airports, the government plans to monitor the situation and take measures accordingly. The airports have already been specified as Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae, and Jeju airports. Vice Minister Cho explained, "Regarding the request to suspend passenger transport by ship, we will comprehensively consider the potential inconvenience to Korean residents in Japan when entering the country and take corresponding measures later," adding, "Among Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae, and Jeju airports, which have many Korea-Japan routes, one airport will be selected."

A tense day, Korea-Japan relations plunge into turmoil

The South Korean government moved urgently to prepare response measures. On the 5th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Hirohisa Soma, the Charg? d'Affaires at the Japanese Embassy in South Korea, to demand a clearer explanation of the measures. The ministry held a late-night meeting with officials from related departments and began strongly criticizing Japan's measures from the early hours of the 6th, calling them contrary to reciprocity.

In a text message sent to reporters early on the 6th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep regret over Japan's unreasonable and excessive measures taken without sufficient consultation with South Korea and strongly urged immediate reconsideration. The Blue House held a National Security Council (NSC) standing committee meeting to discuss a tit-for-tat strategy in response to Japan's entry restrictions.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, who presided over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting at the Government Seoul Office, said, "The Japanese government has effectively imposed a comprehensive entry ban on our citizens," and criticized, "We urge the immediate withdrawal of these excessive and unreasonable measures. We will also devise appropriate countermeasures."

At the CDSCH meeting held at Daegu City Hall on the 7th, Prime Minister Chung said, "The COVID-19 crisis is not an issue at the level of individual countries but a crisis for all humanity. International cooperation is as important as internal solidarity, but the Japanese government, our long-time neighbor, has chosen isolation and neglect," and ordered, "Related departments must thoroughly prepare so that measures such as visa exemption suspension and special entry procedures, which will be implemented soon, can be carried out with minimal confusion on the ground."

Minister Kang Kyung-wha summoned Japanese Ambassador Koji Tomita to South Korea again on the afternoon of the previous day to express repeated protests and regrets. In her opening remarks, Minister Kang said, "I summoned you to convey our government's stern position regarding Japan's overt strengthening of entry restrictions, including raising the travel advisory for South Korea, expanding entry ban areas, and suspending visa validity," and pointed out, "We are rather concerned about Japan's COVID-19 response, which is opaque and passive." She emphasized that given the quarantine situations in both countries, Japan lacks grounds to impose a comprehensive entry ban on South Korea.

Immediately after summoning the Japanese Ambassador, Minister Kang personally presided over a briefing session for the diplomatic corps in South Korea, held for the first time in ten days. The first briefing on the 25th of last month was presided over by Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Gun. Minister Kang asked the 112 embassies and international organization diplomats attending, "Please explain to your home countries the thorough measures South Korea is taking and advise them not to take excessive measures." The briefing was attended by ambassadors from 47 countries, including Harry Harris, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, and Stephan Auer, the German Ambassador to South Korea.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Questions raised about fairness of Japan vs. Australia and China measures... Diplomatic measures remain a challenge to avoid unnecessary controversy

Although the government plans to implement corresponding measures against Japan from the 9th, the issue of fairness between countries raised by some remains a challenge to resolve. The core of the controversy lies in Australia's case, which has imposed a one-week entry ban on foreigners from South Korea starting from the 5th and plans to extend it weekly, and China's local governments' forced quarantine measures.

Australia, despite being an advanced country in disease prevention, did not conduct sufficient prior consultations, leading to calls for corresponding measures similar to Japan. China has also been criticized for violating reciprocity, as more than 18 local governments have enforced forced quarantine, with over 800 South Koreans quarantined.

The South Korean government criticized Japan's measures as unscientific and unfriendly. Additional explanations are needed regarding how these differ from the cases of Australia and China.

A Foreign Ministry official explained, "Australia's measures are temporary and can be renewed weekly," adding, "We need to closely consult to ensure their prompt withdrawal." However, another senior official said, "Basically, Korea-Japan relations and Korea-Australia relations cannot be the same, and the COVID-19 situations in Australia and Japan are not comparable." This is understood as referring to the context of Korea-Japan relations, including forced labor issues, export restrictions, and the Korea-Japan military information protection agreement (GSOMIA).

Regarding China, the official noted that some regions have already banned entry and that special entry procedures are applied to foreigners arriving from China. Particularly, the quarantine measures by local Chinese governments are not central government actions, so the approach must differ. The Foreign Ministry official said, "The Chinese central government has instructed local governments to communicate closely with the Korean Consulate General, and local governments are negotiating with the Consulate General to ease quarantine measures," adding, "Regarding special entry procedures, some local governments cannot provide facilities, so the same level of measures cannot be demanded."

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