Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) on Sunday said that Taiwan would change South Korea’s designation in its online immigration entry system to “Korea (South)” if Seoul continues to ignore Taipei’s requests to correct its labeling of Taiwan in its e-arrival system by the end of this month.
In an interview on Sunday night, Lin said Taipei has set a deadline of Tuesday next week for the South Korean government to correct its listing of Taiwan as “China (Taiwan)” in its new online immigration entry system, which undermines Taiwanese sovereignty.
As of March 1, Taiwan switched to the designation “South Korea” on Alien Resident Certificates held by nationals of that country in Taiwan, instead of its official name, “Republic of Korea.”
Photo: Screen grab from e-arrivalcard.go.kr
If South Korea does not respond positively before the deadline at the end of the month, Lin said, Taiwan would change its own online immigration entry system, changing that country’s listing from the “Republic of Korea” to “Korea (South),” Lin said in the interview.
South Korea places significant importance on its formal name, he said, responding to the views of some local commentators, who have said that such a move is unlikely to pressure Seoul into revising its designation of Taiwan.
About 10 years ago, the South Korean government requested that Taiwan use its official name, “Republic of Korea,” instead of “South Korea,” Lin said.
Taiwan acquiesced, but Seoul has not reciprocated, with Taiwan listed in the e-arrival system as “Taiwan (China),” implying that Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic of China, he added.
South Korea’s new online immigration entry system, launched on Feb. 24 last year to replace paper landing cards, listing Taiwan as “China (Taiwan),” sparked the issue.
South Korea had shown goodwill in the past by postponing the full phaseout of paper arrival cards, which was originally scheduled for last month. Lin said.
However, Taiwan has made it clear that Seoul should demonstrate respect by revising the listing in its e-arrival system to “Taiwan” as soon as possible, he said.
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