1. The Foreign Ministry hosted the 20th meeting of the Passport Policy Commission on June 25 to mull over whether to extend the travel ban on Yemen, Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan due to expire soon.

* The travel ban on Yemen will expire on June 27, and that on Iran, Somalia and Afghanistan on August 6.

2. In the meeting, in view of the expected continuation of the political and security unrest in the four countries, the Commission decided to extend the travel ban on Somalia and Afghanistan until August 6, 2013; Iraq until February 6, 2013; and Yemen until September 27, 2012.

° The extension is expected to contribute to preventing nationals of the Republic of Korea from sustaining damage from incidents or accidents in the four countries. Nevertheless, when travel to these countries is needed for such purposes as business, government affairs and urgent reports, exceptional permits to use passport could be granted after a due process to visit the aforementioned countries. 


                             Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relation of MOFAT

* unofficial translation