Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Korea to restrict visas for visitors from Pakistan, Bangladesh
People wearing face masks to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus walk in a park in Seoul, Saturday, June 20, 2020. AP
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
The government will strengthen visa and entry restrictions for visitors from Pakistan and Bangladesh after reporting a surge in new COVID-19 cases imported from the two Asian countries.
Under the precautionary measures, set to come into force Tuesday, authorities will not issue new visas to Pakistanis and Bangladeshis except for diplomatic and urgent business purposes. Authorities will also suspend flights from the countries.
Health Minister Park Neung-hoo made the announcement Sunday, two days after 31 people were confirmed here to have contracted the coronavirus overseas. Pakistan accounts for 16 cases, followed by Bangladesh (7).
“A rise in imported cases increases the burden on quarantine and treatment capacities here,” Park told reporters. “We will continue to keep an eye on the situations in other countries to control the spread of the virus effectively.”
The government will also thoroughly check whether E-9 visa holders have places for a 14-day mandatory self-quarantine here before arrival. Those who fail to meet the requirement may not be allowed in.
According to the government, the daily number of foreign arrivals increased to around 1,300 in recent days, up from 1,000 in April.