Travelers from China register for COVID-19 tests at a screening center in Incheon International Airport, Jan. 2. Korea Times photo by Ha Sang-yoon

By Lee Hyo-jin

The Ministry of Health and Welfare has refuted claims raised by Chinese media that travelers from China are subject to "insulting" treatment on arrival here, such as being locked up in a dark room, due to Korea's strengthened entry measures.

Under tightened COVID-19 restrictions, travelers from China, Hong Kong and Macau who plan to stay in Korea for 90 days or less should take a PCR test at the airport. Those who test positive must undergo seven days of isolation at a government-designated facility.

The Global Times, a mouthpiece of the Chinese government, wrote on Wednesday that Korea's measures against Chinese travelers are "insulting" and "only target Chinese people." Citing Chinese internet users, it claimed that travelers who were refused entry were taken to a small, dark room for "detention," and that the conditions in the quarantine facilities were very poor, without beds or hot water, and the travelers were forced to pay for the facilities themselves.

It also claimed that Korean authorities are treating Chinese travelers like criminals by making them wear a yellow card around their neck upon landing at the airport before taking them to designated areas. It demanded a rational explanation from the Korean government on the issue, questioning whether these measures target only Chinese nationals.

The Korean health ministry refuted such claims, disclosing details about the government-designated facilities where foreign nationals are quarantined.