Korean media: South Korea's "passport power" ranks second in the world, surpassing the United States!

On August 19, Korean media outlet Daily News published an article stating that South Korea maintained the second position in the Henley Passport Index, which reflects the global strength of national passports.

According to the Henley Passport Index 20th Anniversary Report released by UK-based immigration consultancy Henley & Partners, South Korea ranked second, just behind Singapore (192 destinations), with its passport allowing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 188 destinations.

Japan and the UAE are tied with South Korea in second place.

Compared to when the index was first launched in 2006, South Korea has added 73 destinations, Japan has added 60, and the UAE has added 153.

The United States ranks 10th (180 destinations), a decline from its top position in 2006.

Excluding ties, 36 countries and regions rank higher than the United States, meaning the U.S. actual ranking is 37th.

One reason for the U.S. decline is that, unlike other leading Western developed nations, U.S. citizens cannot travel visa-free into China.

The index tracks global travel freedom provided by passports, based on the number of destinations where passport holders can travel without a visa or with visa-on-arrival privileges. Data shows that the U.S. passport is no longer among the most powerful in the world.

Afghanistan ranks last on the index, followed by Nepal, Somalia, Yemen, Pakistan, Iraq, and Syria.

The Institute for Economics & Peace, which has compiled the Global Peace Index for 20 consecutive years based on analysis of international conflicts, found a positive correlation between the Henley Passport Index and the Global Peace Index.

However, despite the United States ranking 134th on the Global Peace Index, it remains 10th on the passport index; Israel ranks 18th on the passport index but 149th on the peace index.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1873952855297034/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.