SEOUL, 31 Jan. (Yonhap) — Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Tuesday the government would consider lifting visa restrictions for travelers from China before the end of February if positive cases from the neighboring nation remain at a low. manageable level.
Han made the statement during a press conference held at the government complex in Seoul, saying that South Korea will decide whether to lift the restrictions after evaluating the results of novel coronavirus tests carried out on travelers from from China.
South Korea has tightened restrictions on travelers from China, suspending the issuance of short-term visas by diplomatic missions in China and requiring people entering the country to pass a screening test before and after their arrival until at the end of next month.
In retaliation, China has also suspended issuing short-term visas to South Koreans.
“I think we have to be careful before lifting visa restrictions completely, given the results of PCR tests carried out on Chinese nationals entering South Korea these days,” Han told reporters.
“After reviewing the PCR test results from the Chinese and determining that they are at a manageable level, we will consider lifting them even before the end of next month,” he added.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo answers questions from reporters during a press conference held at the government complex in Seoul on January 31, 2023.
mathieu@yna.co.kr
(FIN)
