Ministry of Foreign Affairs Extends 'Travel Ban' for 6 Countries Including Iraq and Afghanistan Until July

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has extended the travel ban for six more months until July 31 of this year on six countries?Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, and Libya?as well as the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi islands in the Philippines.

On the 7th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reviewed and decided this through the Passport Policy Subcommittee of the 45th Passport Policy Deliberation Committee.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs anticipated that the unstable situation, poor security conditions, and terrorism risks in these areas would persist for a long time. It stated that it is necessary to continue prohibiting visits and stays to protect its citizens.

Previously, in July last year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended the travel ban on these areas for six months until the 31st of this month. According to the Passport Act, the Minister of Foreign Affairs may prohibit visits and stays in specific countries or regions for a set period to protect citizens.