1. In response to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Republic of Korea (ROK), a number of countries have been taking entry-restrictive measures against Koreans. The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, for one, has been placing the recent Korean entrants into the country under a 14-day quarantine at designated facilities (about 270 people under quarantine as of March 4) in disease control efforts, causing an increase in inconvenience to Korean people.

2. In order to provide consular support to the Koreans that are under quarantine at designated facilities or arriving in Vietnam, including by holding negotiations on lifting the quarantine measure, rendering assistance to those wishing to return home, and helping them resolve other difficulties, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to dispatch on the morning of March 5 three interagency rapid response teams consisting of a combined 12 officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Policy Agency and other related government agencies to the areas under the jurisdiction of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Vietnam as well as the ROK Consulates General in Ho Chi Minh and Da Nang.

° The teams will stay in Vietnam for about a week and consider extending the period of their activities afterwards.

3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is maintaining an around-the-clock emergency response posture in order to prevent Koreans from facing any inconveniences overseas due to the spread of COVID-19, and is making various efforts to extend consular support that befits the needs on the ground.