South Korea suspends visa exemptions

The South Korean government will suspend visa-free entry and visa waiver programs for 90 countries that have imposed entry bans on South Koreans from Monday in an attempt to curb the surge of imported coronavirus cases.

A joint press release by the foreign and justice ministries also said that all 90-day visas issued before April 5 have already become invalid, according to local media.

Accordingly, foreigners entering South Korea with short-term visas must reapply for a new one, with exceptions for diplomats, flight attendants, and C-4 visa holders, who are sponsored by local firms.

US and China are not affected by the move as the former still allows the entry of South Koreans while Beijing does not have a visa-free agreement or program with Seoul.

The decision came after the recent rise in imported cases.

South Korea has 10,423 confirmed cases, including 204 deaths and 6,973 recoveries.