Lawless Haiti Travel Ban from May... Including Areas Controlled by Rebel Forces

Myanmar Rakhine State Capital Also Designated as Travel-Restricted Area

The government has decided to designate Haiti, an island nation in the Caribbean Sea experiencing extreme public safety instability, as a travel ban country starting next month.

On the 29th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that after deliberation and resolution by the Passport Policy Council's Passport Usage Policy Subcommittee, a Level 4 travel alert (travel ban) will be issued for Haiti starting May 1.

Map of Haiti before and after travel advisory level adjustment. [Image provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Currently, Haiti is in a de facto state of anarchy amid ruthless gang violence including murder, looting, sexual assault, kidnapping, and arson. Previously, our government supported the evacuation of Korean nationals residing in Haiti twice with assistance from the Dominican Republic.

There are currently about 60 Korean nationals residing in Haiti. Following the designation of the travel ban country, they must either depart or obtain exceptional permission to use their passports.

On the 12th of last month (local time), protesters in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, set fire to tires.
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Additionally, Myanmar's Rakhine State will also be designated as a travel ban area starting May 1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "Due to intensified clashes between the military and anti-military forces in Rakhine State, it is necessary to prohibit visits and stays to protect our nationals." The government had previously designated northern and eastern Shan State and Kayah State in Myanmar as travel ban areas starting November 25 last year, and now has added Rakhine State.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' travel alerts are divided into ▲Level 1 (Blue Alert) 'Exercise Caution When Traveling' ▲Level 2 (Yellow Alert) 'Refrain from Traveling' ▲Special Travel Advisory ▲Level 3 (Red Alert) 'Departure Recommended' ▲Level 4 (Black Alert) 'Travel Prohibited.' Visiting or staying in a Level 4 travel alert area without permission may result in punishment under Article 26 of the Passport Act and other regulations.