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South Korea, Japan Butt Heads Over Coronavirus Prevention

Kelly Kasulis

   SEOUL - After months of cooling tensions, Japan and South Korea may be
   on the verge of another row, this time, over the COVID-19 coronavirus
   outbreak.

   South Korea sent out a foreboding omen Friday after Japan said it would
   quarantine travelers from South Korea or China. South Korea's National
   Security Council called the decision "unreasonable, excessive and
   extremely regrettable," adding it would consider reciprocal measures.

   South Korea now has the second-largest outbreak in the world, with at
   least 6,767 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 45 deaths as of
   mid-afternoon Saturday. Meanwhile, Japan has more than 1,000 cases
   between its mainland and the Princess Diamond cruise ship. The nations,
   however, have taken different approaches in handling their outbreaks --
   South Korea has tested its citizens for COVID-19 aggressively compared
   to Japan, using thousands of kits more per day.

   In Japan, chief government spokesman Yoshihide Suga called the travel
   curbs decision "result of a comprehensive review of the information
   available about the situation in other countries and the effects of
   other measures."

   Although several other nations have banned the entry of South Korean
   travelers, Japan's move likely hit a nerve with Seoul because of
   already-existing, unresolved conflicts between the two countries.

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