US Decides Not to Ban Entry from Korea and Italy... Japan Claims "Prior Consultation Took Place" Repeatedly

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "The US Consistently Regards Korea's Quarantine Capability and Information Transparency Highly"

The arrival hall at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport is quiet on the 6th. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The U.S. government is leaning towards not imposing entry bans on travelers arriving from South Korea and Italy, countries with high confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Unlike the preemptive entry restrictions imposed on China, the decision is based on the judgment that closing borders is less effective amid the global spread of COVID-19.

According to local U.S. media and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 12th, key U.S. government departments such as the State Department and the Department of Defense expressed concerns about entry bans on South Korea and Italy but ultimately decided not to impose such bans. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated that, based on information gathered through various diplomatic channels, there have been no reports so far of moves to strengthen entry restrictions on travelers from South Korea.

On the 10th (local time), U.S. internet media Axios reported, citing informed sources, that the U.S. administration recently discussed COVID-19 but decided against imposing entry bans. Several federal agencies opposed the bans, citing the large U.S. military presence in South Korea and Italy’s location at the heart of the European Union (EU), which would render entry restrictions ineffective.

The sources conveyed that while the entry ban on travelers from China showed results in the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. government judged that achieving the same effect would be difficult. In Italy’s case, with COVID-19 spreading across various European countries, it was concluded that entry bans would not effectively prevent the virus’s inflow. Axios particularly analyzed, “In a globalized society, it is extremely difficult to suppress infectious disease outbreaks, and if entry ban strategies are ineffective, it will be even harder to justify their impact on diplomacy, logistics, and other areas.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that there are currently no signs that the U.S. government will strengthen entry restrictions on South Korea. A senior official from the ministry said it is not appropriate to predict what decisions the U.S. might make in the future but explained, “We have not officially received any position indicating that entry restrictions will be imposed, nor have we received reports suggesting that such measures are likely.” He added, “We are receiving reports that there are opinions against the need for additional entry regulations on South Korea.”

The senior official also conveyed that the U.S. government is rather positively evaluating South Korea’s quarantine system. He emphasized, “The U.S. side consistently holds a high regard for South Korea’s quarantine capabilities and transparency of information,” and “We believe the U.S. is well aware of South Korea’s efforts.” The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which visited South Korea’s Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency last week, reportedly mentioned that there are quarantine measures in South Korea that the U.S. could reference.

Since the 9th, the Japanese government, which unilaterally strengthened entry restrictions on travelers from South Korea, has been acting obstinately, claiming prior consultation with the Korean side. The South Korean government stated that Japan’s measures were implemented abruptly without sufficient prior consultation and has taken reciprocal measures since the 9th.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga claimed at a regular briefing on the 9th, “We notified the Korean side in advance through diplomatic channels and provided polite explanations even after the announcement.” On the 11th, Suga also commented on South Korea’s rebuttal, saying, “While I intend to refrain from addressing each of South Korea’s claims individually, I have received reports that we provided prior notification and detailed explanations regarding our thoughts and the content of the measures.”

On the 11th, when departure quarantine for flights to the United States was fully implemented to ensure stable operation of Korea-US air routes, a passenger bound for the United States is receiving a quarantine confirmation certificate at the departure quarantine inspection room installed in the departure hall of Terminal 2 at Incheon International Airport. / Yeongjongdo - Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

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