Government Begins Discussions on Domestic Transfer of Korean Passengers from Japanese Cruise Ship, Some Express Interest (Comprehensive)

14 Koreans Onboard... "Identifying Additional Evacuees, Coordinating with Japanese Government"
Japanese Government Plans Sequential Disembarkation from 19th for Those Testing Negative

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has caused a cluster outbreak, the government has begun serious discussions on plans to transport Koreans aboard the cruise ship 'Diamond Princess,' which is docked at Yokohama Port in Japan, back to Korea. The Japanese government plans to conduct COVID-19 diagnostic tests on all passengers aboard the cruise ship and allow those who test negative to disembark sequentially starting from the 19th.

On the 16th, Park Neung-hoo, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), briefed the results of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 expansion at the joint briefing room of the Seoul Government Complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, saying, "At today's expanded Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting, considering the increasing number of infections aboard the Diamond Princess, we discussed the domestic transfer of our nationals on board," and explained, "The government has decided to promote a plan to transport our nationals who test negative according to the Japanese authorities' investigation results and wish to return home even before the 19th."

Accordingly, the government plans to first ascertain the intentions of Koreans aboard the cruise ship and then proceed with consultations with the Japanese government. Director Park said, "We will accurately ascertain the intentions of our nationals on board and then proceed with consultations with the Japanese government," adding, "Regardless of whether they return home or not, we will continuously provide consular assistance such as maintaining regular contact and offering conveniences for our nationals aboard the cruise ship until the situation stabilizes."

Through the Consulate General in Yokohama, it has been confirmed through a preliminary survey that there are Korean passengers who wish to be transported domestically. Currently, there are 14 Koreans aboard this cruise ship, including 9 passengers and 5 crew members. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among the 9 passengers, 8 and 3 Korean crew members mainly live in Japan.

Cho Se-young, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, said, "I refrain from specifying exactly how many people wish to be transported domestically," explaining, "There are 14 Koreans aboard, including passengers and crew, and we maintain contact almost daily to provide necessary assistance. Through this process, we have identified those who have expressed a desire to be transported domestically."

The government plans to further confirm the intentions of the cruise ship passengers regarding domestic transport and devise specific transportation plans. Vice Minister Cho said, "It is true that there are Koreans who have expressed a desire to return home," adding, "We will continue to maintain contact to confirm their intentions more accurately." He further stated, "Regarding specific transportation plans for those wishing to be transported domestically even before the 19th, we will verify details such as how many people are involved and review possible domestic transportation methods accordingly as the situation develops."

On the Diamond Princess, which carries a total of 3,700 passengers and crew, the number of COVID-19 infected patients continues to rise. As of this day, 355 passengers have been confirmed infected with COVID-19. Infected patients are immediately transported to hospitals upon confirmation. Consequently, the total number of COVID-19 infections in Japan, including those on the cruise ship, has increased to 408.

The United States, with about 380 of its nationals aboard the cruise ship, plans to use up to two chartered planes for transportation as early as possible. According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Henry Walke, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), announced plans to send planes to transport approximately 380 Americans aboard the cruise ship and their families. There is speculation that the United States, Japan's closest ally, made this decision because it no longer trusts Japan's quarantine system. The Israeli government is also reported to have requested the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately disembark 15 of its nationals and move them to another location.

Meanwhile, on the previous day, daily necessities prepared by the Korean government and Korean residents in Japan were delivered to the 14 Korean passengers aboard. This is the second time that supplies prepared by the government have been provided to Korean passengers since the Diamond Princess docked at Yokohama Port and began quarantine on the 3rd, and the first time that daily necessities prepared by Korean residents in Japan have been delivered.