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Beijing announced today tit for tat measures against South Korean nationals with visa restrictions. Seoul's foreign ministry was quick to express regrets following talks between the two countries' foreign chiefs the previous day. Choi Min-jung reports.
China has decided to suspend its short-term visa services for South Koreans starting Tuesday. This comes in retaliation for Seoul's strengthened antivirus measures for inbound travelers from China. The Chinese Embassy in Seoul made the announcement via WeChat, citing orders from Beijing.
South Korean nationals can no longer get short-term visas for traveling or personal matters. The embassy also stated that the measure will be adjusted, depending on whether Seoul decides to withdraw what Beijing calls, "discriminatory entry restrictions against China".
Soon after the announcement, South Korea's Foreign Ministry expressed regret over China's decision.
"We have already strengthened measures for entrants from China based on scientific and objective reasoning. We have communicated our stance to China through diplomatic channels, and communication between South Korea and China will continue regarding this matter."
As the spokesman said, South Korea's Foreign Minister Park Jin had already explained to his new Chinese counterpart, Qin Gang, that the stronger measures were imposed based on scientific grounds. This was discussed during their first talks over the phone on Monday night, where Park offered congratulations on Qin's recent inauguration. However, the new Chinese foreign minister expressed concerns, saying that he hopes that "South Korea would uphold an objective and scientific attitude."
South Korea ramped up its antivirus measures for entrants from China after seeing a jump in imported cases from the country.
Under the current rules, people coming from China are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding the plane and take a PCR test upon arrival. Choi Min-jung, Arirang News.