More than 120 countries are imposing bans or toughening entry restrictions on travelers
from South Korea amid the novel coronanvirus epidemic.
This unprecedented situation is expected to deal a significant blow on economic activities
such as physical and human exchanges as well. This week Korea Now will look into the current
situation and the aftermath of all those countries’ entry restrictions on people from South Korea
over coronavirus fears.
I am currently at our Incheon International Airport
and as you can see, the gates that would normally have been crowded with people traveling
to countries around the world, are now mostly empty
Let's hear what the worker of this shop has to say about this outbreak
Let's hear a word from the person who's departing as well
As of March 12th, 53 countries imposed entry bans on passengers from South Korea and 70
countries have tightened screening or quarantine procedures, according to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. The figure is equivalent to 60 percent of
the 193 U.N. member states. With the exception of the United States, nine
of South Korea's top 10 export destinations are included on the list of such countries.
In 2019, South Korea's exports to the 10 countries accounted for 70.3 percent of its total outbound
shipments. 21 provinces and cities of China, South Korea’s
largest trading partner, have been isolating visitors from South Korea for two weeks,
while Japan, the fifth-largest trading partner, has also suspended its visa waiver program
for South Koreans, effective Monday morning, and started asking visitors from South Korea
to stay at designated facilities for two weeks. In response, South Korea halted a 90-day visa-free
entry program for Japanese nationals. As a result, there were only five South Koreans
who entered Japan from South Korea, and five Japanese who entered South Korea from Japan
on the first day of the visa-free entry ban. As major trading partners of South Korea started
to impose entry bans on South Koreans, experts fear it will also take a toll on physical
exchanges such as trade and investment. The South Korean government also openly expressed
concern over potential slowdowns in economic activities following these travel restrictions.
On the other hand, the U.S. has not yet implemented entry restrictions.
It seems to be the result of considering the Seoul-Washington alliance and economic impact
it will have. But U.S. President Donald Trump said that
Washington is looking closely at South Korea over the coronavirus outbreak and will decide
whether to impose travel restrictions on its Ally “at the right time.”
Now, the coronavirus is spreading more and more recently in the U.S.
Therefore, if Washington takes measures to restrict the entry of travelers from South
Korea, further contraction in Seoul’s external economic activities will be inevitable.
What are your thoughts on this? Please let me know in the comments below and thank you
for watching Korea Now.