Support for Exceptional Entry of Korean Businesspeople and Others: 11 Countries, 5,081 People... Hungary Also Fully Permitted

First Case of Korea-China Businessmen Entry 'Fast Track' System Implemented from the 1st
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Continuous Efforts to Expand Institutionalization of Korean Businessmen Entry"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The government has supported the exceptional 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 across 11 countries. Since the Korea-China businesspeople entry 'Fast Track' system began on the 1st, cases allowing the entry of essential personnel have been steadily increasing, and the number is expected to continue to rise.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 8th, the government supported the entry of 5,081 people from 11 countries including China, Hungary, Kuwait, and Vietnam, and among them, 4,261 people from 9 countries have completed entry. The Prime Minister's Office, along with related ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, has been negotiating for exceptional entry of businesspeople targeting 21 countries with significant economic exchanges with Korea.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "While many countries have banned entry to prevent the influx of foreign COVID-19 confirmed cases, this achievement was made through negotiations with host countries based on diplomatic assets accumulated so far," adding, "We plan to continue efforts to institutionalize businesspeople's entry so that our companies' overseas activities are not hindered."

On the 3rd, 252 members of the LG business delegation entered Nanjing, China, marking a case utilizing the Korea-China businesspeople Fast Track system. A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "The LG business delegation underwent pre-departure testing, post-arrival testing, and quarantine at designated hotels," adding, "Those who tested negative will be able to start work from that day." They were quarantined for four days to receive tests locally and will be able to commute between the hotel and factory for work for some time.

The senior official added, "The LG business delegation case was discussed before the Korea-China Fast Track agreement but is the first case to enter under the newly agreed system," and explained, "As companies like Samsung and LG plan to move businesspeople by chartered flights to other regions, additional entry cases are expected." The Fast Track system applies to 10 locations including Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Liaoning Province, Shandong Province, Jiangsu Province, Guangdong Province, Shaanxi Province, Sichuan Province, and Anhui Province.

Hungary also eased entry restrictions for Korean businesspeople. On the 30th of last month, Hungary fully allowed businesspeople's entry mainly from neighboring countries such as the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, and Austria through legislation, and uniquely added Korea among non-neighboring countries. This is interpreted as a positive influence due to Korea being Hungary's largest investor.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to increase cases institutionalizing exceptional entry for businesspeople, like the Korea-China businesspeople Fast Track system. The government also believes that as Korea's COVID-19 situation stabilizes, cases of easing restrictions on Korea are likely to increase. A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "Since our situation is quite stable, we expect many cases of easing entry restrictions on our country."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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