Monitoring Japan's Entry Restriction Measures... Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Coordinating Details with China on Businessperson Entry"

"More Reasonable to Strengthen Regulatory Measures than Total Entry Ban... A Matter to Consider Comprehensively"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] As the Japanese government is reportedly set to strengthen entry bans on foreigners, the South Korean government is closely communicating with Japan and is on high alert for the final decision.

On the 30th, a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told reporters that since Japan has not made an announcement, they could not provide specific details, but added, "Japan's situation is changing rapidly day by day, and the number of confirmed cases is sharply increasing," and explained, "It seems the Japanese government is also considering stringent measures."

He said that prior communication with Japan is being conducted closely. The senior official stated, "Unlike before, we have received contact that something is under review," and added, "They have not made a final announcement and seem to be reviewing specific details." The Japanese government did not notify or consult with the South Korean government in advance when it announced entry restrictions on travelers from Korea on the 5th.

Regarding the possibility of strengthened reciprocal measures against Japan, the official expressed a cautious stance. He said, "We will also implement strengthened entry regulations starting from the 1st of next month," and added, "Rather than handling individual cases, we are imposing entry restrictions considering the domestic quarantine situation and the increase in confirmed cases, and that should be the priority."

Furthermore, he expressed a negative stance on a full entry ban. He judged that responding with strengthened regulations rather than a complete entry ban is more reasonable. The senior official emphasized, "I don't think the problem would be solved just by imposing a full entry ban," and said, "Rather than there being a single correct answer, each country comprehensively considers its domestic circumstances and risk information."

Regarding China, which has effectively banned foreign entry, the South Korean government summoned Xing Haiming, the Chinese Ambassador to Korea, to express regret and simultaneously discussed exceptional entry permissions for businesspeople. He explained that China recognizes the necessity and is actively willing to establish a framework.

The senior official explained, "We are discussing a plan where travelers from Korea to China carry a certificate and undergo an additional test on-site so that they can operate locally," and added, "China agrees on the necessity and shares the same view, and we are currently coordinating the details."

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