Monitoring Desk
SEOUL: A day after China announced the suspension of short-term visas for South Korean nationals, Seoul stated that it would try to resolve the visa suspension issue through negotiations with Beijing.
While commenting on Beijing’s actions, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said China’s actions are not retaliatory, Yonhap News Agency reported.
“I do not think it is retaliation,” said Han, according to the agency.
China’s embassies in South Korea and Japan announced on Tuesday that short-term visas for citizens of both countries wishing to visit China would be suspended.
China suspends visas for South Korea and Japan
The Chinese Embassy in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, has issued a notification suspending the issuance of short-term visas to South Korean nationals visiting China for business, transit, tourism, medical treatment, or general private affairs, CGTN reported.
During his regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said some countries disregard facts, science, and their actual epidemic situation and have insisted on taking discriminatory entry restriction measures targeting China.
“Since China announced the decision to manage COVID-19 with measures against Class-B infectious diseases and adopted provisional measures on cross-border travel, many countries have expressed their welcome, but a few countries have announced entry restriction measures targeting travelers from China,” Wang said.
“China firmly rejects this and will take reciprocal measures,” he added.
