Concerns over 'Korea Phobia'... Ministry of Foreign Affairs Urges Diplomatic Corps in Korea to "Avoid Excessive Measures"

Kim Geon, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Holds Briefing at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Building... Explains Government's Intensive Quarantine Efforts
Entry Restrictions on Koreans Expanded to 23 Countries

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) rapidly increases, the number of countries restricting entry for Koreans is sharply rising, prompting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to hold a briefing for the diplomatic corps in Korea to explain the Korean government's intensified quarantine efforts.

On the 25th, Kim Geon, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, explained the Korean government's strengthened quarantine situation to the diplomatic corps from 103 countries at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building and requested that they refrain from imposing excessive entry restrictions on Koreans.

As of 9 p.m. that day, 23 countries were officially recorded as restricting entry for foreigners who are Koreans or have transited through Korea. Seven countries, including Nauru, Kiribati, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan, Israel, and Mauritius, have implemented entry bans. The number of countries suspending air routes, such as Kuwait and Mongolia, is also increasing.

After the briefing with the diplomatic corps, Deputy Minister Kim told reporters, "I explained the government's enhanced quarantine measures in response to COVID-19," adding, "The goal was to ask them not to take excessive measures based on unfounded fears, and I believe that goal was well achieved."

The briefing was announced on the 24th, the day after the Korean government raised the COVID-19 crisis alert to the 'serious' level. Nevertheless, ambassadors from 21 countries attended in person, and diplomats from 103 countries participated. This is interpreted as a result of the high level of interest in Korea's COVID-19 quarantine status.

The diplomatic corps in Korea reportedly inquired about Korea's future response direction and channels to obtain information related to COVID-19 for their nationals. Officials from the Ministry of Health and Welfare also attended the briefing.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs checked the attendees' temperatures before the briefing. The meeting was conducted with participants wearing masks.