Over 5,000 Supported for 'Exceptional Entry' from 11 Countries Including Businesspeople... First Case of Korea-China 'Fast Track' Emerges

4261 Entrants from 9 Countries Cross Border Closures Due to COVID-19
Fast Track for Korea-China Businesspeople Starts from 1st... 252 LG Business Travelers Enter
Hungary Also Eases Entry for Korean Businesspeople... Government Expands Exception Entry System Efforts

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The government has supported the entry of essential personnel such as businesspeople into countries that restricted foreign entry due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), with cases exceeding 5,000 people from 11 countries. As cases allowing the entry of essential personnel have been increasing, including the implementation of the Korea-China businesspeople 'Fast Track' system from the 1st of this month, the number is expected to steadily rise.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 7th, the government supported the entry of 5,081 people from 11 countries, and among them, 4,261 people from 9 countries have completed entry.

On the 3rd, 252 members of the LG business delegation entered Nanjing, China, marking a case utilizing the Korea-China businesspeople 'Fast Track' system. Unlike previous case-by-case entries, the Korea-China businesspeople 'Fast Track' system is the first case to institutionalize exceptional entry.

A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said to reporters on the day, "The LG business delegation followed procedures including pre-departure testing, post-arrival testing, and quarantine at designated hotels," adding, "Those who tested negative will be able to start work from tomorrow." They were quarantined for four days to undergo testing locally.

The senior official continued, "The LG business delegation case was discussed before the Korea-China Fast Track agreement, but it is the first case to enter under the newly agreed system," adding, "In the future, as companies like Samsung and LG plan to move businesspeople by chartered flights to other regions, additional entry cases are expected."

To enter China through the Fast Track, Korean companies operating locally or Chinese companies must apply for the Fast Track for Korean businesspeople to the local Chinese government and obtain an invitation letter. A visa must be obtained from the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in Korea.

Under the condition of complying with the special quarantine procedures agreed upon between Korea and China, simplified entry procedures apply. After entering with a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate, local diagnostic testing is conducted, and if negative, economic activities can be carried out without quarantine.

Hungary has also eased entry restrictions for Korean businesspeople. On the 30th of last month, Hungary issued a decree allowing full entry of businesspeople mainly from neighboring countries such as the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, and Austria, uniquely including Korea among non-neighboring countries. Korea is Hungary's largest investor.

A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "Regarding Hungary, about 500 businesspeople had entered on a case-by-case basis," adding, "Now it has become much freer."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to increase cases institutionalizing exceptions for businesspeople's entry. As Korea's COVID-19 situation stabilizes, it is highly likely that cases easing restrictions on Korea will increase.

The senior official said, "At this stage, we are working to institutionalize the entry of essential personnel," adding, "Since our situation is quite stable, many cases of eased entry restrictions on our country will emerge."

Meanwhile, as of the 6th, the number of overseas Koreans supported for return by the government was counted at 26,029 people from 94 countries. Among overseas Koreans, 107 confirmed cases were identified in 24 countries. Of these, 37 have recovered, 63 are hospitalized or in quarantine, and 7 deaths have been confirmed.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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