Furious over travel restrictions by Japan in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, South Korea on Friday warned that it will respond in kind.
In an unprecedented diplomatic protest, South Korea’s Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha summoned Japan’s envoy Koji Tomita to her office to express displeasure over the move by Tokyo, the state-run Yonhap news agency reported.
Japan has announced a two-week quarantine for visitors from South Korea, where at least 6,284 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed, resulting in 42 deaths.
On the contrary, 1,045 people have contracted the infection in Japan, including those from the virus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship. Six of those who caught the virus passed away.
"We cannot help but deplore the measure that Japan has pressed ahead without prior notification and consultations, despite our repeated calls to refrain from additional measures," Kang said.
Tokyo has also designated separate places for visitors from South Korea and China, mandating them to refrain from using public transportation.
The virus originated in China's Wuhan city last December, and has since caused more than 3,381 deaths, and infected 97,993 people globally, according to the World Health Organization.
The South Korean foreign minister said Tokyo's decision was "unfriendly" and "unscientific," warning of a tit-for-tat response.
"I tell you that we cannot help but explore ways for necessary responses, including measures based on the principle of reciprocity, should Japan not withdraw them," she told the Japanese envoy.
Several governments have either imposed or mulled restrictions and stricter quarantine programs for visitors from the worst-affected countries such as Iran, Italy and South Korea.
