Seoul warns of countermeasures to Tokyo’s entry restriction on Koreans

South Korea on Friday expressed “extreme regret” over Japan’s entry restrictions imposed on its citizens over the novel coronavirus, and warned of “corresponding measures.” 

Japan on Thursday announced that all arrivals from Korea will be put into two-week quarantine at designated facilities, while it has invalidated some visas already issued to travelers from here. It is also suspending a visa-waiver program for short stays, all effective from Monday.

It also expanded its entry ban to cover wider North Gyeongsang Province, in addition to the already barred region of Daegu and Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang Province.

“National Security Council members agreed to consider taking necessary countermeasures in accordance with the principle of reciprocity, as it is difficult to understand Japan’s unreasonable steps without first consulting with our government,” the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said at a NSC meeting held earlier in the day.

Observers view the government could take tit-for-tat measures, restricting entry from Japan and halting its visa waiver program.

Korean Prime Minister Chung Se-kyun also expressed “extreme regret,” calling Japan’s move “excessive.”

“We urge Tokyo to immediately withdraw the excessive and irrational measure,” he said at a government meeting on COVID-19.

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha summoned Koji Tomita, Japanese ambassador to Korea, in the afternoon to lodge a protest over the measure, which was taken without sufficient consultation and despite Seoul’s repeated call for cautious review on further steps.

Initially, Vice Foreign Minister Cho Sei-young was supposed to meet his counterpart Tomita, but the minister decided to meet the envoy, illustrating the gravity of the situation.

“The latest measure by Japan is not only unfriendly, but also unscientific, and I strongly urge it to promptly withdraw them while confronting the objective facts and situation,” Kang told Tomita, reiterating Seoul will consider reciprocal steps if Tokyo doesn’t retract the measures.

Kang also questioned the intention behind Japan’s latest measures, stressing that the restriction was imposed when there are signs of progress in Korea’s containment efforts.

Tomita said that he would report Kang’s remarks to Japan’s Foreign Ministry.

As of Friday, over 102 countries and territories have restricted entry or imposed special quarantine steps on Korea, which has reported 6,593 confirmed cases with 42 deaths.

Unlike with other countries, Korea appears to be particularly angered by the move, as it earlier refrained to take rigorous steps on people arriving from countries affected by the virus, including Japan.

Tokyo is scrambling to contain the spread of the virus, which now stands at more than 1,000 cases, including 706 people who were aboard the virus-stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined near the capital city.

Minister Kang also held a briefing session for foreign diplomats in Seoul, explaining Korea’s containment efforts and urged partner countries to refrain from taking “excessive” measures.

Officials from 112 foreign missions and international organizations attended the session, including the top diplomats from 47 countries such as US, Canada, Italy, Mexico, Iran and UAE.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)