By Yi Whan-woo
The government will issue multiple entry visas for doctors, lawyers and other skilled workers from Mongolia, Belarus, Georgia and Ukraine, according to the Ministry of Justice, Sunday.
South Korea has so far restricted multiple entry visas to stop illegal immigrants.
"The measure is the latest in Seoul's efforts to lure international tourists and facilitate people-to-people exchanges abroad," a ministry official said.
The visa will be valid for one to five years. Its holder can stay in Korea from 30 to 90 days each time they enter the country.
Journalists, entrepreneurs and those who hold masters' or higher degrees from the four countries can also apply for multiple entry visas, if they have met certain conditions.
"We considered skilled workers and also those who are unlikely to stay here illegally in expanding our list of groups of professions qualified for multiple entry visas," the official said.
The ministry said it included Mongolia on the newly expanded list because more Mongolians had applied for Korean visas recently.
Belarus, Georgia and Ukraine joined the list because they are the target countries of President Moon Jae-in's New Northern Policy aimed at bolstering economic cooperation with countries north of South Korea, including Russia.
Meanwhile, the justice ministry said it had asked the Mongolian government to grant multi entry visas for Korean entrepreneurs.
The government will issue multiple entry visas for doctors, lawyers and other skilled workers from Mongolia, Belarus, Georgia and Ukraine, according to the Ministry of Justice, Sunday.
South Korea has so far restricted multiple entry visas to stop illegal immigrants.
"The measure is the latest in Seoul's efforts to lure international tourists and facilitate people-to-people exchanges abroad," a ministry official said.
The visa will be valid for one to five years. Its holder can stay in Korea from 30 to 90 days each time they enter the country.
Journalists, entrepreneurs and those who hold masters' or higher degrees from the four countries can also apply for multiple entry visas, if they have met certain conditions.
"We considered skilled workers and also those who are unlikely to stay here illegally in expanding our list of groups of professions qualified for multiple entry visas," the official said.
The ministry said it included Mongolia on the newly expanded list because more Mongolians had applied for Korean visas recently.
Belarus, Georgia and Ukraine joined the list because they are the target countries of President Moon Jae-in's New Northern Policy aimed at bolstering economic cooperation with countries north of South Korea, including Russia.
Meanwhile, the justice ministry said it had asked the Mongolian government to grant multi entry visas for Korean entrepreneurs.
