JAKARTA - China's recent decision to suspend the issue of short-term visas does not need to cause tension according to the South Korean president even though foreign ministers call it "very regrettable."
Tuesday's suspension by the Chinese embassy in South Korea was China's first retaliatory measure against countries imposing COVID-19 restrictions on its travelers.
"It is regrettable that China took such countermeasures by fully suspending the issuance of short-term visas," South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin told a news conference.
He continued, South Korea is still issuing visas for Chinese visitors for urgent business or humanitarian purposes.
Last week, South Korea ordered PCR tests for travelers arriving from China, joining a growing list of countries adopting COVID-19 restrictions amid fears of infection, after China suddenly ended a strict "zero-COVID" policy.
Kedatangan juga harus memberikan hasil negatif dari tes PCR yang dilakukan hingga 48 jam sebelum memulai perjalanan mereka, atau tes antigen cepat yang dilakukan dalam waktu 24 jam.
Several Chinese tourists have complained about the restrictions, the strictest among the new rules adopted by these countries, but South Korea has said it is not discriminatory.
Meanwhile, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said the two countries did not need to experience tensions and "uncomfortable relations" and Seoul's decision was not meant to target anyone.
"There seems to be some diplomatic tension due to China's retaliatory actions... I don't think that's necessary," he told a New Year's policy briefing by foreign policy assistants and defense.
"This is not a diplomatic issue or a matter of economic trade, but only to protect our people in our country," he said.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency also said its actions were "irreversible" and "temporary", applicable to all people arriving from China, including South Koreans.
"There is no discrimination based on citizenship," he said in a statement.
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