Visa waiver with Russia set to come into effect

SEOUL, Dec. 14 (Yonhap) -- An agreement between South Korea and Russia on
simplifying visa issuances for short-term trips will go into effect next month,
as the two sides have completed related domestic procedures, officials here said
Monday.
"The South Korea-Russia pact on the simplification of short-term visa issuance
will take effect on Jan. 9, 2010, as domestic procedures in the two countries
have been completed," foreign ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young said.
Under the deal signed in 2008, South Korea and Russia will drastically cut the
time needed for a visa issuance by scrapping various red-tape procedures.
Citizens in the two countries will also be allowed to apply for a visa in a third
country.
The deal also calls for the exemption of visa fees for official delegations and
those hoping to study or attend cultural and sporting events in one of the two
countries. People who want to visit relatives in either nation will also be
exempted from the fees.
"Human exchanges between the two nations are expected to grow as people from both
sides will be able to visit the other nation more conveniently," the ministry
said in a press release.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)