Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of Korea on the Abolition of Visa Requirements

The Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as "the Contracting Parties"),

desiring to further develop friendly relations and cooperation between their respective countries, and to facilitate the mutual travel of the nationals of both countries,

have agreed as follows:

Article 1

Nationals of either country, in possession of valid national passports or other travel documents, may enter the territory of the other country without obtaining a visa for their stay not exceeding ninety (90) days.

Article 2

Nationals of either country who, in possession of valid diplomatic or official / service passports, are appointed to a diplomatic or consular mission of their country or are representatives of their country in an intergovernmental organization in the territory of the other country, and members of their family forming part of their household in possession of valid diplomatic or official / service passports, shall be permitted to stay in the territory of the other country during the period of their official mission without obtaining a visa.

Article 3

Nationals of either country who, with the exception of nationals referred to in Article 2, intend to stay longer than ninety (90) days in the territory of the other country, or who wish to engage in lucrative or paid activities, are required to obtain a visa in advance from a diplomatic or consular mission of the other country.

Article 4

Nationals of either country are obliged to observe the laws and regulations of the other country during their stay in the territory of that country.

Article 5

Each Contracting Party reserves the right to refuse the entry or stay in its territory of the nationals of the other country whom it considers undesirable.

Article 6

1. The Contracting Parties shall exchange samples of their passports and other travel documents through diplomatic channels not later than thirty (30) days before the entry into force of this Agreement.

2. In case of any change in the passports or other travel documents, or some introduction of new kinds of documents for travelling abroad, each Contracting Party shall provide the other Contracting Party with the new samples thereof, together with all necessary data for the validity of these documents through diplomatic channels not later than thirty (30) days before the date of their change or introduction.

Article 7

The Contracting Parties shall inform each other, as soon as possible, of any changes in their legislation related to the conditions for entry, stay and departure of aliens.

Article 8

Either Contracting Party may temporarily suspend, in whole or in part, the implementation of this Agreement for reasons of national security, public health or some other important reasons. Any such suspension shall be notified immediately to the other Contracting Party through diplomatic channels. The same procedure shall be adopted when the suspension is lifted.

Article 9

Either Contracting Party may propose amendments to this Agreement. Any amendments mutually agreed upon by the Contracting Parties shall be effected by an exchange of notes.

Article 10

1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the 30th day after the date on which the Contracting Parties have notified each other that all domestic procedures required by their laws for the entry into force of this Agreement have been fulfilled.

2. This Agreement is concluded for an indefinite period of time. Either Contracting Party may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving two months prior notification in writing to the other through diplomatic channels.

In witness whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.

Done in duplicate at Rīga, on the 22nd day of May 2003, in the Latvian, Korean and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevail.

For the Government For the Government

of the Republic of Latvia of the Republic of Korea