Huh Chang-soo: "A true friend is one who stands by you in difficult times... Please lift the entry restrictions"

Urgent Letter Sent to Major Trading Partners
"Business Purpose Entry Must Be Allowed"

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Huh Chang-soo, Chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), has requested major trading partners that have imposed entry bans (restrictions) on arrivals from Korea due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) to allow entry for business purposes.

In an urgent letter sent on the 12th to major trading countries, Chairman Huh stated, "The entry ban measures are expected to significantly hinder economic exchanges as they also prohibit or restrict the entry of Korean businesspeople returning home or conducting business activities," and added, "We earnestly request that entry bans or restrictions on arrivals from Korea be eased for business purposes."

Chairman Huh emphasized, "Korea possesses the world's best quarantine system, COVID-19 testing capabilities, and follow-up response capacity," adding, "We can test more than 10,000 people per day, the testing period is very short?within one day?and COVID-19 related information is disclosed very transparently."

He further argued, "Although it appears that the number of confirmed cases in Korea is rapidly increasing, this is due to the excellent medical capabilities mentioned above and is evidence that Korea is responding well to COVID-19."

Chairman Huh appealed, "Recently, thanks to such outstanding medical capabilities, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Korea is gradually decreasing, and the number of recovered and released patients is steadily increasing. Considering these points, it is unreasonable to ban or restrict entry of Koreans."

Additionally, Chairman Huh reiterated that efforts are underway including ▲ systematic and effective quarantine system operation ▲ thorough quarantine measures at workplaces and business sites ▲ efforts to prevent disruptions to the global supply chain of Korean companies.

He stated, "Entry for business purposes should be treated differently from general travel or visitation purposes, and exceptions to entry bans or restrictions should be recognized," adding, "Entry for business purposes is essential to prevent the contraction of global trade caused by COVID-19 and to continuously activate economic exchanges with the home country."

He explained that considering the large trade volume between Korea and its trading partners and the potential for further activation in the future, entry bans or restrictions on Korean departures by trading countries could shrink exchanges between the two countries.

Chairman Huh persuaded, "The Korean government also plans to issue a ‘COVID-19 Negative Certificate’ after testing for businesspeople entering for business purposes and request exceptions to entry bans or restrictions from the home country, so special treatment is necessary."

In conclusion, Chairman Huh said, "There is an English proverb that says, ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed.’ At a time when the world is suffering from COVID-19, lifting entry bans or restrictions on arrivals from Korea by the home country will greatly help economic exchanges between the two countries."

The FKI Chairman’s urgent letter was sent to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Justice of countries whose trade volume with Korea exceeded 1% of Korea’s total trade volume as of last year. The countries include 18 nations such as China, the United States, Japan, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Germany, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Russia.

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