South Korea has formally requested that the United States refrain from applying new visa restrictions to international students and foreign journalists in a manner that undermines bilateral ties.
The Seoul government emphasized the need for cooperation to ensure that changes to stay periods do not unfairly infringe upon the rights of Korean nationals or damage people-to-people exchanges.
The diplomatic appeal comes as Washington tightens immigration and entry protocols, a shift that has drawn scrutiny from several allied nations.
By specifically highlighting students and journalists, South Korea is signaling concerns that the policy could disrupt academic partnerships and limit press access, both of which are critical components of the alliance's soft-power infrastructure.
This development marks another point of contention in US-South Korea relations, which have seen increased friction in recent months.
A senior South Korean official in Washington previously rejected proposed US tariffs linked to forced labor concerns, describing the measures as neither appropriate nor necessary.