Seoul: South Korea and Japan will introduce exclusive immigration counters for each other's nationals traveling between the two countries to commemorate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, announced Seoul's foreign ministry. These special counters will be available throughout June at South Korea's Gimpo and Gimhae International Airports, as well as Japan's Haneda and Fukuoka Airports.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the exclusive counters at Gimpo and Haneda airports will cater to passengers flying with Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Japan Airlines, and All Nippon Airways. Meanwhile, all air carriers operating at Gimhae and Fukuoka airports will be included in this initiative. Travelers eligible for these lanes are short-term visitors who have traveled to either country at least once in the past 12 months from June. They must complete an electronic entry declaration before proceeding through the special immigration screening.
The initiative coincides with the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This milestone is marked by the signing of a bilateral treaty on June 22, 1965, which re-established diplomatic relations two decades after South Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule.
Both countries have organized various events to celebrate this anniversary. In February, they conducted a joint lighting ceremony at N Seoul Tower and Tokyo Tower, symbolizing the strong ties between their capitals. The foreign ministry remarked that the special immigration counters aim to enhance convenience for travelers and promote cultural and social exchanges between the nations.
Bilateral relations have significantly improved since South Korea's March 2023 decision to address wartime forced labor compensation independently of Japanese companies. This decision, made by the administration of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, led to the resumption of "shuttle diplomacy" and increased interactions at governmental and private-sector levels. However, it was met with criticism from Yoon's political opponents and the families of the victims.