Beginning Thursday, January 20, South Korea will implement stricter entry requirements for off-peninsula arrivals:

All travelers - both new arrivals and returnees - must possess a negative PCR test within 48 hours before the departure date; be advised the PCR test must be performed and the certificate must be issued within the same 48-hour period of departure.

Acceptable PCR tests include NAAT, RT-PCR, LAMP, TMA, SDA and NEAR tests according to the South Korean government: 문서뷰어 (mofa.go.kr) [↗]

Children under the age of 6 (on the date of arrival) are exempt from this requirement if all travelers possesses a valid negative PCR test.

Failure to adhere to this new requirement will result in traveler either being denied entry to board the flight or denied entry into South Korea upon arrival.

Please see the following link to fully understand South Korea’s updated guidance for off-peninsula arrivals to the peninsula: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-en/brd/m_4500/view.do?seq=761034&page=1 [↗]

See your chain of command, supervisor or sponsor for additional details and information on how this updated requirement applies to you.