Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Government Prioritizes Public Health and Safety... Takes Restrained Reciprocal Measures Against Japan"

On the 8th, ahead of Japan's implementation of entry restrictions on Korea, the international departure hall at Gimpo Airport in Seoul was crowded with Japanese residents and international students who had been staying in Korea, rushing to depart./Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

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[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] "We believe we have taken restrained and appropriate measures while prioritizing the health and safety of the public."

A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained this on the 8th during an unofficial briefing regarding the entry restrictions on Japan that the Korean government will implement starting at midnight on the 9th.

The senior official emphasized, "Our government has been responding based on openness, transparency, democratic handling, and international guidelines," adding, "Our policy is to control the flow rather than locking the door, and while controlling the flow, to take a comprehensive and reasonable balanced approach considering various aspects."

He revealed that strengthening quarantine measures against Japan had been under consideration even before Japan’s unilateral announcement of entry restrictions. The official said, "While we were reviewing (strengthening quarantine measures against Japan), Japan took such measures, so we acted more swiftly. Applying the special entry procedures, which had been implemented for arrivals from China, rather than responding with measures equivalent to Japan’s '14-day waiting' policy, was in the same context."

He explained that the suspension of visa-free entry and visa validity was an unavoidable response considering reciprocity. The senior official said, "There was an opinion that we should also impose 14 days like Japan, but considering the principles we have upheld so far, we decided there was no need for a direct countermeasure."

Regarding the possibility of additional entry restrictions on Japan, he said they will review the situation while monitoring the infection trends within Japan. The official stated, "Rather than immediately putting something on the table, we will observe the COVID-19 situation in Japan and consider additional measures if necessary," and added, "Conversely, if Japan’s situation improves, we believe corresponding (easing) measures can be taken."

Meanwhile, he reiterated remarks suggesting that Japan’s recent strengthening of entry restrictions was believed to have motives beyond quarantine. The senior official said, "I understand that Japan’s Foreign Minister presented the measure as based on scientific grounds, citing that the number of confirmed cases per 10,000 people statistically exceeds that of China," but added, "However, it is difficult to agree with that so-called scientific basis."

Korea conducts tests on more than 18,000 people daily, with a cumulative total of 160,000 tests conducted so far. As of the 7th, Japan’s testing capacity was only 553 tests per day.

Japan has decided to strengthen entry restrictions on travelers arriving from Korea starting from the 9th, citing the prevention of the spread of COVID-19. Kang Kyung-wha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is heading to her seat for a meeting after summoning Koji Domita, the Japanese Ambassador to Korea, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 6th. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

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