SOUTH KOREA. South Korea has lifted the suspension of short-term visas for travellers from China, imposed in January. The Korean government cited an improved Covid-19 situation in China as a key reason.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, other travel requirements remain in place for visitors arriving from China, including a pre-boarding and post-entry PCR test.
China has welcomed this decision with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning calling the move “the right step towards reducing obstacles hindering cross-border travel between the two countries.”
She also said that Beijing will actively consider lifting the countermeasure it imposed against South Korean visitors early this month. During a press conference on Friday, she said: “China will consider resuming the issuance of short-term visas for the citizens of the Republic of Korea when appropriate. It is hoped that the Republic of Korea will work with China to do more to facilitate normal people-to-people exchange between the two countries.”
In early January, Seoul suspended issuing travel visas for Chinese travellers, citing the resurgence of Covid-19 cases in the country. This followed China’s decision to ease restrictions on movement from 8 January.
As a counter measure, Beijing instructed its embassy and consulates to halt the issuance of visas for all visitors from South Korea.
