Minister Kang Kyung-hwa: "Return of Wuhan Residents, Result of Diplomatic Negotiations"... 'Second Evacuation' Charter Flight Departs Evening of 31st

Spring Assignment Appointment Ceremony for Diplomatic Mission Appointees Opening Remarks
"Please Remember That Consular Affairs Are a Major Pillar of Diplomacy" Emphasized

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha described the repatriation of Korean nationals staying in Wuhan, China?the origin of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia)?via chartered flight as the "result of diplomatic negotiations."

On the 31st, Minister Kang said during her opening remarks at the "2020 Spring Appointment Ceremony for New Embassy Staff" held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Doryeom-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, at 3 p.m., "This morning, we dispatched a temporary aircraft from Wuhan, China, and repatriated 368 nationals."

She added, "The plane landed at Gimpo Airport at 8 a.m. today, and until that moment, many people at headquarters and the embassy worked around the clock," emphasizing, "In short, this was the result of diplomatic negotiations."

She also stressed that consular work ultimately constitutes diplomatic work when conducted abroad. Minister Kang said, "Consular affairs, when conducted overseas, are ultimately diplomatic work," and urged, "Please keep in mind that consular work is a major pillar of our diplomacy."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to deploy a second chartered flight at 8:45 p.m. on the 31st to repatriate an additional 350 nationals following the morning evacuation of 368 nationals by chartered flight. The second chartered flight, departing from Gimpo Airport, is expected to return in the early hours of the 1st of next month. Minister Kang stated, "The first place where nationals in difficulty abroad seek help and rely on is the overseas diplomatic mission," and urged, "Please become diplomats who prioritize the people, serve the people, and communicate with the people from the perspective of the nationals."

Earlier, the Wuhan Consulate General announced that, considering quarantine procedures, arrivals must reach the airport tollgate by 9 p.m. that day at the latest.