Beijing has suspended issuing short-term visas for South Koreans wanting to visit the country -- its first retaliation for travel restrictions imposed on Chinese travelers, South China Morning Post reported.
Visas for business, tourism, medical treatment, transit and general private affairs would be suspended for South Koreans, SCMP quoted the Chinese Embassy in Seoul as saying.
The embassy said the move was triggered by “South Korea’s discriminatory entry restrictions on China”
South Korea had earlier suspended issuing short-term visas to Chinese travelers until January 31, ruling out the tourists from entering the country. Flights between South Korea and China are also limited to Seoul’s Incheon International airport, with flights bound for Busan, Daegu and Jeju suspended.
A spokesperson for Korean Air, South Korea’s flag carrier, said of the visa suspension on South Koreans, “There are no further changes in our flight operations between Korea and China. We will continue to monitor the situation”.
Hana Tour, South Korea’s largest tourist agency, said the interruption to issuing visas would not be significantly different to China’s previous zero-Covid policy.
According to one observer, the pandemic may not be the only factor in China’s decision. (With inputs from Agencies)
