South Korea Lifts Travel Ban for Certain Areas in Cambodia

The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on July 9 that it has lifted the Level 4 travel ban for certain areas in Cambodia and Venezuela.

The ministry downgraded the travel advisory for Cambodia's Kampot Province, Bokor Mountain area, Bavet City, and Poipet City from Level 4 (Do Not Travel) to Level 3 (Reconsider Travel), which had been issued in October of last year.

The decision was made in light of a 94% decrease in reports of South Korean citizens being victimized by local scam-related crimes, including abductions, in Cambodia during the first half of this year compared to the same period last year, the ministry explained.

Additionally, the travel advisories for Venezuela's Sucre, Tachira, Apure, and Zulia states, which were also at Level 4, have been adjusted to Level 3.

However, the travel ban for ten countries, including Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti, Mali, and Iran, as well as certain regions in the Philippines, Myanmar, Russia, Belarus, Syria, and the Gaza Strip, will be extended until January 31 of next year.

Traveling to or staying in these prohibited countries or regions without permission may result in criminal penalties and administrative sanctions under the Passport Act.

The ministry also announced regular adjustments to travel advisories, lowering the advisory for certain areas in Cambodia and Nepal.

In Cambodia, the travel advisory for Sihanoukville Province has been downgraded from Level 3 to Level 2 (Exercise Caution), and a special travel advisory for seven provinces bordering Thailand has been lifted, now classified as Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions).

In Nepal, the special travel advisory for Bagmati Province has been lowered to Level 1, considering the stabilization of the situation since the new government took office in March.

Conversely, special travel advisories for 15 countries, including El Salvador and Cuba, have been extended for an additional 90 days.