South Korea is set to temporarily suspend visa waiver programs for countries imposing entry bans on Koreans over novel coronavirus concerns.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced the move Wednesday, during a meeting of the Central Disaster Management Headquarters.
Chung said the government also plans to expand entry restrictions on foreigners traveling without essential and urgent purposes.
"While maintaining the basis of openness," he said, "the government will strengthen restrictions in accordance with reciprocity."
Chung stressed that imported cases have recently accounted for the bulk of new infections in the country, adding that there is a possibility Asia may face a second wave of infections.
Since the start of April, South Korea has imposed a mandatory two-week quarantine on all overseas arrivals in a bid to stem imported cases.■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
