Over 130 Korean Passengers Banned from Entry Return Home
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret over Israel's ban on the entry of Koreans related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) without prior consultation.
On the 23rd, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it contacted the Israeli government and the Embassy of Israel in Korea, emphasizing that there should be no excessively unreasonable measures against Korean nationals and travelers.
The Israeli government, starting with Korean Air flight KE957 arriving in Tel Aviv, Israel at 7:30 p.m. local time on the 22nd, has completely banned the entry of foreigners coming from Korea. Koreans on board the flight are scheduled to return through Incheon International Airport at 2 p.m. on the 23rd.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested active cooperation between the two countries following the Korean entry ban. Above all, it strongly protested and requested prevention of recurrence regarding the inconvenience caused to Korean travelers due to the lack of prior notice.
In response, the Israeli side stated that this measure was an unavoidable decision related to the spread of COVID-19 and pledged to cooperate closely on future countermeasures.
Meanwhile, Israel imposed an entry ban on China on the 2nd and implemented entry bans on Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Macau on the 18th.
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