Will 'Entry and Exit Without Passports' Become Possible Between Korea and Japan? "Japan Also Shares the Consensus"

On December 22 last year, travelers heading to Japan were checking in at the departure hall of Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

South Korea and Japan have shown a consensus on the possibility of allowing entry and exit between the two countries using only identification cards without passports.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on the 26th in a meeting with reporters, "There have been many discussions about simplifying immigration procedures as much as possible, such as allowing travel without passports, and treating it under the same standards as domestic travelers. There is considerable agreement on this within Japan as well."

The official explained, "Europe already allows travel as domestic travelers," adding, "The idea is to prevent the situation where it takes two hours to get to Haneda Airport, one hour to get through the airport, and then more than an hour after arriving at Gimpo Airport."

If this plan materializes, it is expected to become a so-called 'Korea-Japan version of the Schengen Agreement.' This agreement, which came into effect in 1995, allows citizens of member countries in Europe to move like domestic travelers without needing separate visas, passports, or customs declarations when crossing borders.

However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed caution regarding the official's remarks, stating that no concrete review or discussion has actually taken place between Korea and Japan.

Yoon Deok-min, the South Korean Ambassador to Japan, is speaking at a press briefing held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the afternoon of the 26th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Yoon Deok-min, the Ambassador to Japan, also said at a press meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, that Korea-Japan relations are greatly improving.

He explained, "In the one year and nine months since my appointment, unimaginable things have happened. There have been seven summit meetings, and almost all ministerial meetings have resumed. All abnormal situations have been normalized."

He added, "Next year marks the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan relations, and it is necessary to upgrade the relationship to one of cooperation that does not regress and provides tangible benefits to the people of both countries."

As Korea-Japan relations improve, economic cooperation between the two countries is also expected to improve.

Ambassador Yoon said, "At last year's overseas diplomatic mission chiefs' meeting, only three corporate consultation teams applied to me, but this year, 14 teams came. I think the improvement in Korea-Japan relations has become an opportunity for us to discover a new market worth 5 trillion dollars."