PM criticizes Japan's quarantine on visitors from South Korea

South Korea's premier has criticized Japan's 14-day quarantine on all visitors from South Korea due to its viral outbreak, demanding that Tokyo immediately withdraw the ``excessive and irrational measures.''

South Korean Prime Minister Chung Se-kyun made the comments during a government meeting about quarantine strategies Friday and said Seoul will pursue unspecified countermeasures.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday that Japan will quarantine all visitors from China and South Korea for 14 days before they are allowed an entry permit. They will be sent to a government facility for the quarantine and will not be allowed to use public transportation.

Japan and South Korea spent most of 2019 feuding over trade and wartime history issues.

South Korea on Friday reported 196 more cases of infection with the new coronavirus, raising its total to 6,284. It's the second-highest total behind China, which has more than 80,000. (AP)