By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter
The government is considering designating Afghanistan as an ``off-limits'' country, under a revised passport law. Koreans would face punishment if they entered the country without government permission.
``The revised law governing passports will take effect July 24, which will restrict travel to where the government designates as dangerous countries,'' a Seoul official said. ``We are seriously considering including Afghanistan in the group of countries which Koreans can't enter without permission.''
On July 27, the government will form a committee comprising 11 passport experts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the National Police Agency and the private sector to list dangerous countries for travel.
The law stipulates that Koreans will be fined up to 3 million won or face imprisonment of up to one year if they visit a country that the government designates as dangerous, without prior authorization.
The government initially banned Koreans from traveling to Iraq and Somalia, but amended the decision to include Afghanistan, following the Taliban's recent kidnapping of 23 Koreans that shook the airwaves Thursday. However, entry to those destinations without permission is not currently punishable by law.
Meanwhile, the Korean Embassy in Afghanistan began asking Koreans to leave Afghanistan by sending a letter to relevant non-government organizations (NGOs) stationed there. About 200 Koreans are working for some 10 NGOs in Afghanistan.