"If (the situation) is endurable given the PCR COVID-19 test results, the lifting (of restrictions) could be considered earlier," Han said.
SOUTH KOREA DROPS INDOOR MASK MANDATE, BUT MANY CONTINUE TO WEAR THEM AS CONCERNS LINGER
A group of Chinese tourists head to a coronavirus testing center upon arriving at the Incheon International Airport in South Korea, on Jan. 12, 2023. (REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji)
His comment comes as the tourism and aviation sectors have been hit by both countries' decision to suspend issuing short-term visas.
"China used to account for 20 to 25% of Korean Air’s passenger and cargo businesses before COVID," Korean Air Deputy General Manager Kim Ah-hyun said. "We hope travel restrictions between the two countries are eased soon to allow more routes and flights."
Duty free shops have also been hit hard.
"Chinese peddlers known as "Taigong" used to buy duty-free goods and supply them to China," a Lotte Duty Free spokesperson said. "But given the suspension of short-term visa issuance and travel restrictions, they can’t travel easily and our revenue will likely take a hit."
South Korea has suspended issuing short-term visas to Chinese visitors since early January, after China abruptly ended its stringent "zero-COVID" policy, leading to a wave of infections. Seoul's move prompted Beijing to also suspend issuing short-term visas in South Korea.