Ministry of Foreign Affairs Strongly Protests Vietnam for Quarantining 20 Koreans Without Prior Consultation

"Excessive or Unreasonable Measures Must Not Occur" Emphasized
Vietnam Side: "Measures of Temporary and Provisional Nature"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 24th that it has lodged a stern protest with the Vietnamese side, which temporarily quarantined all passengers of the VietJet flight (VJ871) that departed from Daegu City and arrived in Da Nang City without prior consultation, and conveyed that excessive or unreasonable measures should not be taken.

The Da Nang City authorities in Vietnam quarantined all passengers of the VietJet flight (VJ871), which carried 20 Korean nationals, after its arrival in Da Nang on the morning of the same day. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the 20 Korean passengers were immediately transferred to a city hospital upon arrival, and subsequently, the Consulate General in Da Nang dispatched a consul to the hospital to monitor the situation and provide consular assistance.

After becoming aware of the situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly protested to the Vietnamese side through diplomatic channels, emphasizing that the measures were taken without prior consultation. It also stressed that excessive or unreasonable measures against Korean nationals should not be taken and requested active cooperation from the Vietnamese side.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "The Vietnamese side stated that the measures were unavoidable in response to the rapidly changing situation related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and asked for our understanding. They also said that the measures are temporary and provisional in nature and that they will strive to promptly resolve the inconvenience faced by Korean nationals."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide necessary consular assistance, including support for the early return of Korean nationals temporarily quarantined in Da Nang.