China: Suspension of Short-Term Visa Issuance for Koreans Is a Reciprocal Measure

Wang Wenbin, Spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Noh Kyung-jo] On the 10th, the Chinese government stated that its suspension of short-term visa issuance to South Korean nationals is a "reciprocal measure" in response to South Korea's strengthened quarantine measures for arrivals from China.

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing that the reason for suspending visa issuance to South Korea and Japan is that "a few countries ignore scientific facts and their own infectious disease situations and insist on discriminatory entry restrictions targeting China."

He added, "China firmly opposes this and has taken reciprocal measures."

Although no specific countries were named, this clarified that the measures correspond to the strengthened quarantine measures by South Korea and Japan. The South Korean government recently suspended the issuance of short-term visas for travelers from China and limited additional flights. Arrivals from China are required to submit a negative PCR test result within 48 hours before entry and undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing after arrival.

Regarding this, Spokesperson Wang said, "China has made every effort to communicate sufficiently with the relevant countries and provided detailed information on quarantine and infectious disease situations," and appealed once again that "the relevant countries should base their actions on facts and implement scientific and appropriate quarantine measures."

He emphasized, "There should be no political manipulation or discriminatory methods, and normal human exchanges and cooperative exchanges between countries should not be affected."

The Chinese Embassy in South Korea announced on the same day, "According to domestic Chinese directives, from today, the Chinese Embassy and Consulate General in South Korea will suspend the issuance of short-term visas for South Korean nationals visiting China for visits, commercial trade, tourism, medical treatment, and general personal reasons."

It added, "The above measures will be adjusted according to the cancellation of South Korea's discriminatory entry restrictions against China."

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