HK-ROK immigration deal signed

China's Hong Kong and the Republic of Korea (ROK) signed a deal Tuesday on the use of automated clearance services, marking a new milestone in immigration cooperation between the two.

Hong Kong's Director of Immigration Chan Kwok-ki signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Commissioner of the Korea Immigration Service Jeong Dong-min.

It is the first MoU Hong Kong has signed on the use of automated clearance service on a mutual basis with a foreign country.

The move will provide greater travel convenience for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and ROK passport holders, and enhance trade, business and tourism links between Hong Kong and the ROK, the department said.

The service will be implemented by year's end.