Taliban Travel to Afghanistan, Iraq Will Be Banned
By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter
The government Friday decided to delay designating Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia as ``off-limits'' countries under a revised passport law. Koreans would face punishment if they enter those countries without government permission.
The law not only bans travel to the countries designated dangerous but also requires Koreans who are staying in the countries to leave as soon as possible.
But the government will allow permanent residents and journalists to visit the countries under some requirements, officials said.
The decision was made by a committee comprising 11 experts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the National Police Agency and the private sector, who will have further discussion to reach agreement. Some of them reportedly said the designation would violate the right to travel.
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 ``off-limits'' without prior authorization, according to the passport law which took effect last Tuesday.
The government initially banned Koreans from traveling to Iraq and Somalia but will likely amend the decision to include Afghanistan, following the Taliban's kidnapping of 23 Koreans July 19.
Previously, entry to those destinations without permission was not punishable by law.