Taipei is expecting a response from South Korea about its e-Arrival cards, which label Taiwan as “China (Taiwan),” Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said today.
Taipei has asked Seoul to change the wording.
Speaking to reporters before attending a meeting of the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, Lin said that Seoul has said it would take the matter seriously and has already begun consultations.
Photo: Tsung Chang-jin, Taipei Times
Taiwan is awaiting an official response from South Korea, he said, adding that he hoped it would respect public opinion in Taiwan.
Public opinion in Taiwan and South Korea reflects the belief that “Taiwan is Taiwan,” and not China, he said.
South Korea’s e-Arrival card system lists Taiwan as “China (Taiwan)” in the “point of departure” and “next destination” fields.
Since March 1, South Koreans who hold government-issued Alien Resident Certificates have been identified as from “South Korea” rather than the “Republic of Korea,” the country’s official name, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.
If Seoul does not take any action to correct Taiwan’s name on its e-Arrival card system before March 31, Taiwan would also change South Korea’s designation on its online immigration entry system from “Republic of Korea” to “South Korea,” the ministry said.
The decision was made following inter-ministerial consultations, Lin said today.
The ministry thinks the countermeasures should generate a positive response, he said.
Taiwan and South Korea have a stable partnership from industry to tourism and culture, Lin said, adding that Taiwan would continue to act according to the principle of reciprocity and mutual respect to facilitate bilateral relations.
South Korea established its e-Arrival card system in February last year. The ministry has petitioned Seoul to make changes since December last year, following complaints from members of the public and several lawmakers.
To accommodate Taiwanese travelers, Seoul did not phase out its paper-based arrival card system last month as planned, Lin said.
As the paper arrival cards allow travelers to enter their home country’s name as “Taiwan,” the move was a gesture of goodwill, he said.
Earlier this month, the Bureau of Consular Affairs issued a “Level 1: Gray Alert” for South Korea, listing seven points that Taiwanese travelers should be aware of, including that either the online e-Arrival card or paper arrival card can be used, though it suggested that people fill out the paper version.
Lin said he did not think that the incident would make South Korean travelers less willing to visit Taiwan.
Additional reporting by Huang Ching-hsuan
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