47,000 Overseas Koreans Return with Government Support... Two Diplomats Assisting Korea-Bound Travelers Also Confirmed Infected

Over 47,000 Overseas Koreans Return from 119 Countries with Government Direct and Indirect Support, Including Charter Flights and Allied Cooperation
577 Overseas Koreans Infected Locally, Consular Assistance Continues
Countries Banning Entry from Korea Reduced from 153 to 92 through Government Talks
Number of Business Exemption Entrants Steadily Increasing

Overseas Koreans and expatriates from the Milan area in Italy are returning to Korea on a charter flight through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on the 1st. Upon arrival, they all move to a designated facility to undergo COVID-19 testing. If everyone tests negative, they proceed to self-quarantine, but if even one person tests positive, the entire group will be placed in facility quarantine for 14 days. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The government has reported that approximately 47,000 overseas Koreans have returned to the country through direct and indirect support. This figure includes cases where chartered flights were directly deployed for repatriation, as well as indirect support cases involving cooperation with Korean associations and assistance from allied country embassies. Among them, it is known that two local diplomats who helped overseas Koreans return tested positive for COVID-19.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 23rd, about 47,000 overseas Koreans from 119 countries have returned with government support. The government dispatched chartered flights to bring back overseas Koreans staying primarily in China, Japan, Iran, Italy, and other countries, and repatriated citizens residing in African and South American countries by seeking cooperation from allied country embassies. They also assisted repatriation by sending cargo flights carrying quarantine supplies.

Recently, to transport construction company employees working in Iraq, where the COVID-19 spread is severe, two Air Force refueling aircraft were deployed to bring back 293 overseas Koreans.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "About 47,000 citizens from 119 countries have returned with government assistance," adding that although many countries initially closed their borders making repatriation difficult, more citizens have likely returned as some flights resumed operations.

On the morning of the 19th, the presidential aircraft (Air Force One No. 3) carrying six Koreans and one Japanese spouse who disembarked from the cruise ship 'Diamond Princess' docked at Yokohama Port, Japan, arrived at Gimpo International Airport. / Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

While approximately 47,000 overseas Koreans were returning home, there were cases where diplomats supporting them contracted COVID-19 from passengers. Including six Korean diplomats working at overseas missions and about 50 locally hired staff, all tested positive for COVID-19. Among them, two Korean diplomats are known to have been infected while assisting with the repatriation of overseas Koreans.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to thoroughly provide consular assistance through local missions to ensure the safety of overseas Koreans who remain abroad due to personal reasons. As COVID-19 cases are resurging in various regions, the number of overseas Koreans confirmed with COVID-19 has reached 577. Excluding the United States, China, and Japan, about one million overseas Koreans reside worldwide.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "As of early May, there were 107 confirmed cases in 24 countries, but recently the number has increased to 577," adding, "By continent, the Asia-Pacific region accounts for 100 cases, North and South America 230, Europe 80, the Middle East 120, and Africa 23."

While consular assistance by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to support overseas Koreans, the number of countries easing entry restrictions on arrivals from Korea is steadily increasing through slow but ongoing intergovernmental negotiations. In May alone, 153 countries had imposed entry bans on travelers from Korea, but now about 60 countries have eased these measures, reducing the number of countries with entry bans by 92. Only six countries still enforce facility quarantine measures. Conversely, the number of countries implementing enhanced quarantine and advisory measures has significantly increased to 67.

Twenty-two countries have lifted entry restrictions related to arrivals from Korea. Although some countries have reimposed measures due to worsening COVID-19 situations, many European countries such as the Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Portugal, France, and Hungary are lowering entry barriers. Additionally, exceptions for business travelers have increased from about 5,000 people in 11 countries in May to 18,166 people in 18 countries currently.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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