Singapore Couple’s Seoul Trip Hit by New Vaccine Pass Rules
Jannah Monjiat and her husband, both born to the Singaporean way of life, landed in Seoul this past Sunday (Dec 5) on a vaccinated travel lane (VTL) flight. They were buzzing to relive the streets they love and indulge in Korea’s legendary food and culture.
A Surprise Twist in the City‑Lights
The next day, as the couple stepped out of Incheon, South Korea rolled out a “vaccine pass” system that covers restaurants, cafes, libraries and movie theaters. From bouts of bars to cozy cafés, any gathering of two or more people now has to flash a vaccination sticker before they can walk in.
This move followed a spike of 7,102 new COVID‑19 cases on Thursday, including 20 Omicron variants, tipping the total to 496,584 as reported by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The latest roll‑out aimed at shielding the roughly 16.6% of Koreans who aren’t vaccinated, while trying to curb the new Omicron wave.
What VTL Means for Travellers
Thanks to a bilateral VTL agreement that kicked in on Nov 15, Singapore VTL travelers enjoy the same perks as fully‑vaccinated Korean citizens. However, not every restaurant or café is in the loop about it, and some staff might mistake travelers for scammers.
Monjiat shared that when she touched down, she received an English‑Korean info sheet—a quick guide to show Korean vendors her QR‑coded vaccination.
“Not everyone knows about the VTL and how to check our vaccination status, so they might think we’re trying to scam them,” she told The Straits Times. “But some places are strict—only they’ll accept the vaccine pass. Since I don’t speak Korean super well and didn’t want to bother the staff, we opted for takeout and posted a picnic in a park instead.”
VTL Telegram Group Says…
A Telegram cohort of 1,100+ VTL users echo Her shared beat‑down:
- Some got lucky—showed Singapore vaccination or Trace Together app and were let in.
- Others found the gate closed—no vaccine pass, no entry.
In short, when you’re a Singaporean apostate on a VTL trip to Seoul, make sure you’ve got the right “green ticket” or you might end up eating ramen in a park, not in your favorite spot!
<img alt="" data-caption="Singaporeans Jannah Monjiat and her husband Yusri Sapari, seen here eating outdoors in Seoul, arrived in South Korea on Dec 5 on a VTL flight.
PHOTO: Jannah Monjiat” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”992fb4eb-f241-4831-b77b-8dbdbb38bd3c” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/jannah.jpg”/>
Foreign Residents Finally Get Their Vaccine Pass Back in the Game
When South Korea rolled out its new, expanded vaccine pass system, it unintentionally left a large group of long‑term foreign residents in a bit of a pickle: the ones who had been immunized overseas, but the Korean government was slow to recognize those shots.
But on Thursday, the authorities dropped a welcome surprise: foreigners can now register their overseas vaccinations right at public health centres and snag a vaccine pass via the COOV (short for Corona Overcome) smartphone app. This means they can also schedule booster shots in a timely manner—no more missing out on the “two‑handed” immunity boost.
The move came after weeks of lobbying by big‑name embassies—U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia and India—all demanding that the South Korean government grant overseas‑vaccine holders “the same access rights to public facilities” as compatriots.
Penalties for Ignoring the New Rules
- Business owners who don’t enforce the vaccine pass can face a fine of up to 3 million won (≈ S$3,480) or even be forced to close shop permanently.
- Visitors who show up without a valid vaccine pass may be fined 100,000 won each time.
Despite these hefty fines, there aren’t any “social distancing ambassadors” roaming around to eyeball the rule compliance. So it falls on each venue to step up.
A Cafe Owner’s Take
Singaporean Ken Ng runs a cozy little cafe in Hongdae, a popular youth hangout in Seoul. He told ST, “The onus is on business owners to check vaccine passes.” He added, “Everyone should be informed of the important changes in regulations so there’s no misunderstanding… but sometimes things change too quickly and we’re not told clearly what to do. That can cause inconveniences.”
Ken’s candidness reminds us that while the policy shift is a big win for the community, the devil—and sometimes the bureaucracy—still hides in the details. The hope is that the new checker system will keep things smooth for everyone, from the long‑term residents to the newest visitors.
How VTL travellers prove they are fully vaccinated
South Korea’s Vaccine Pass – Your Quick‑Guide to Getting In
Already fully vaccinated? Great! South Korea’s Vaccine Pass lets you swipe into places that need proof of your shot. Just pull up the COOV app or flash the QR code from Naver or KakaoTalk, and you’re good to go.
How the QR Code Works
- Open COOV on your phone – it’s the official pass‑checker.
- Tap the QR‑code on the COOV link in Naver or KakaoTalk.
- Hit “Scan” and the app confirms your vaccination status.
- It also logs a check‑in for contact‑tracing, so you’re safe and all set.
Singaporean Travelers & The VTL Scheme
Traveling under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) can still feel tricky if people don’t know your status. Here’s what you can do:
- At Incheon Airport, grab the English‑Korean info sheet handed out to every VTL traveler.
- Show this sheet to any Korean business owner. It explains exactly how to scan your QR code.
- The business will need their own COOV app to confirm your vaccination.
Common Hiccups
Not every shop owner is in the loop – some are puzzled or just a bit hesitant. That’s why you might hear a “Sorry, sorry” at a restaurant. But don’t let it ruin your adventure.
Singaporean Jannah Monjiat’s Take
Jannah and her husband landed this Sunday and are staying until December 22. They’ve faced a few bumpy checks at restaurants.
“If you run into a shut‑down, keep your cool,” Jannah says. “Take it lightly, reach for take‑out, and bring it back to your set‑up—maybe snack in the park or your hotel!”
Bottom line
Stick with the official pass, scan the QR, and you’re all above board. If any confusion pops up, a calm smile and a quick note from the paper sheet usually smooths the way. Enjoy your stay in Korea!
