Chosun

May 16, 2022 13:22 The government has decided to relax COVID testing requirements for arrivals from abroad next week. Currently, all travelers must bring a negative PCR test certificate, but from May 23 a rapid antigen test result from a medical facility will also do. But self-tests will not be accepted. An increasing number of countries are replacing PCR testing with rapid antigen tests as there have been a lot of complaints about the cost of PCR tests, which are considered more accurate. Authorities will also cut down on COVID tests on arrival from June 1. Currently, arrivals have to undergo a PCR test a day after arrival and a rapid antigen test a week later, but that will be reduced to one PCR test within three days after arrival. A rapid antigen test a week after arrival will only be recommended. Children under 6 traveling with vaccinated parents are exempt from self-isolation at the moment, but that will be raised to 12. Meanwhile, Pfizer's COVID pill Paxlovid … [Read more...] about Korea to Ease COVID Test Requirement for Arrivals

July 18, 2013 13:51 Foreign tourists will be able to enjoy a 10-percent discount in Korean hotels from next year, and a tourist police will be introduced in October to crack down on nuisances for visitors. According to the plans announced by the government on Wednesday, foreign tourists will be entitled to a 10-percent VAT refund on hotel bills at the airport or port from early next year. The scheme will be test-run for one year. The aim is to attract Japanese tourists, whose numbers has dwindled drastically due to weak yen and sour relations between Korea and Japan over territorial and other issues. The deficit in Korea's tourism industry against Japan in the first five months of this year was US$1.6 billion, 11 times greater than a year ago. Also, multiple entry visa will be issued to many more Chinese nationals to promote tourism in Korea. About 3,000 people including spouses and children of Chinese nationals who already have a multiple entry visa for Korea, residents … [Read more...] about Korea to Ease Path for Foreign Tourists

May 17, 2022 08:42 Two out of every 10 people in Korea live in self-imposed social exclusion where they are reluctant to seek welfare benefits even if they are entitled to them. The Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs asked 8,185 people last fall if they have somewhere to turn to for financial help, and 8.61 percent said yes but did not want such aid while 13.07 percent said no but did not want it either. Half of the respondents were in the low-income bracket, so this would have been a real issue for them. Social workers blame the limitations of the social welfare system, which requires needy people to apply for benefits and prove how poor they really are. Reports by civic groups have pointed out the problems in the selection of worthy recipients. They said the application process is complicated and selection criteria narrow, while many people are reluctant to apply for benefits for fear of being labeled poor, while benefits are limited and badly … [Read more...] about Many People Lose out on Welfare Benefits

May 17, 2022 11:11 Japan now exempts students and business travelers from quarantine on arrival but still bans Korean tourists from entering the island country. The decision was made only a week after President Yoon Suk-yeol was inaugurated in Korea amid hopes of better bilateral ties. Since easing lockdown restrictions in March, Tokyo required arrivals from seven countries including Korea, Egypt, Russia and South Africa, which were seeing another surge in infections, to self-isolate for three days on arrival. But now Koreans are exempt provided they have a student or business visa, test negative on arrival and can show a certificate of their first booster jab. Japan took the decision because the COVID situation in Korea has stabilized and consensus has been built between the two countries about the need to expand bilateral exchanges. Tokyo and Seoul are also discussing the resumption of flights between Gimpo and Haneda as early as this month. Japan is also considering … [Read more...] about Japan Lifts Quarantine for Korean Arrivals