4 Koreans Stranded in South Africa Return Home on German Charter Flight... Ongoing International Cooperation on 'COVID-19'

Overseas Koreans and expatriates from the Milan area in Italy are returning to Korea on the 1st via a chartered flight, arriving through Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport. A mother and child are making a heart gesture toward their maternal grandmother. Upon arrival, all passengers move to a designated facility to undergo COVID-19 testing. If all test results are negative, they proceed to self-quarantine; however, if even one person tests positive, everyone will be placed in facility quarantine for 14 days. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Four Koreans stranded in South Africa boarded a charter flight arranged by the German government on the 8th (local time) to return home. Passengers on the charter flight included nationals from Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and others.

The four Koreans boarded the German government’s charter flight departing from Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport and are scheduled to transfer to Qatar Airways in Frankfurt, Germany, arriving at Incheon International Airport around 4:45 PM on the 10th.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the four Koreans were able to board thanks to arrangements by the Korean Embassy in South Africa and the goodwill of the German ambassador. Korea is reportedly the only Asian country included.

South Africa has been under lockdown measures for three weeks since the 27th of last month. Except for the government-arranged charter flight, all other flights have been suspended. There are about 3,900 overseas Koreans in South Africa, with returnees mainly consisting of students.

Previously, in Africa, overseas Koreans and travelers from Madagascar, Cameroon, Namibia, Angola, Kenya, and other countries have returned home with the cooperation of U.S. and German local embassies.