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Yesterday (11th), a day after China stopped issuing short-term visas to Korean nationals, it took another retaliatory measure.

The transit visa exemption system was also suspended, and Japan was also subject.



Correspondent Jung Young-tae from Beijing.



<Reporter> The



Chinese Immigration Administration has announced that it will suspend transit visa exemption and issuance of visas on arrival to Korean and Japanese nationals.



Like the short-term visa suspension announcement, it was implemented immediately without prior notice, and it was made clear that it was a retaliatory response by stating that it was "according to the implementation of discriminatory entry restrictions by some countries."



The suspended transit visa exemption system is a system that allows you to travel to other countries after sightseeing within China for up to 72 hours or 144 hours, depending on the region.



A visa on arrival is a visa that can be applied for upon arrival at an airport or port for humanitarian or urgent reasons.



The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in the position that it is a legitimate measure in response to some countries that have restricted entry from China every day.

[Wang Wenbin/Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs



Spokesperson: It is just and reasonable to protect the rights and interests of the Chinese people and to protect the environment for normal exchange and cooperation between countries.]



It's not a normal problem, it's to protect its own people," he said.



[President Yoon Seok-yeol: If an epidemic broke out somewhere and we accepted a large number of people there, not only would the public health of our country collapse...

.]



Then, he said, "The immigration issue is judged only on scientific grounds," and ordered, "I hope the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will explain to the Chinese side so that there is no reason for the two countries to continue an uncomfortable relationship."



The Japanese government also said it was extremely sorry for China's retaliatory measures and demanded that it be withdrawn.



(Video coverage: Choi Deok-hyun, video editing: Choi Eun-jin)