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China has completely stopped issuing short-term visas to Chinese citizens.

It is a corresponding measure following the regulation of entrants from China by many countries around the world, and we became the first target.



Correspondent Kim Ji-sung from Beijing.



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China suddenly announced yesterday (10th), the day of implementation, without prior notice, that it would suspend the issuance of short-term visas to Korean nationals.



Subject to suspension are visas including visits, commerce/trade, tourism, medical care, and general personal circumstances.



The Chinese embassy in Korea said, "We will make adjustments depending on the situation in which Korea cancels its discriminatory entry restrictions against China."



Previously, the Korean government first announced that it would suspend the issuance of short-term visas for Chinese to Korea from the 2nd to the 31st of this month, and it was made clear that this was a response.



It is interpreted that China, which has been professing corresponding measures for regulating entry from China in many countries around the world, is actually taking action, and it is interpreted as first responding to South Korea, which has strong regulations.



[Wang Wonbin/Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: (Some countries) resolutely oppose discriminatory entry restrictions and took equal measures.]



Following South Korea, China suspended visa procedures for Japan.



Japan was the first country to mandate PCR testing for entrants from China, but did not restrict visa issuance.



The Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret over China's actions and said it would continue to communicate.



[Lim Su-seok/Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson: (Our measures) were fully explained that they were based on scientific and objective grounds.]



If Korea lifts restrictions on inbound travelers from China, there is a high possibility that China will also lift this measure, but the key is China. This is my COVID-19 situation.



If the positive confirmation rate of entrants from China is high or a new mutation is confirmed, as it is difficult for Korea to ease entry restrictions, the suspension of short-term visa issuance between the two countries may be prolonged.



(Video coverage: Choi Deok-hyun, video editing: Jo Moo-hwan)