This next-generation electronic passport was launched in December 2021. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

By Kim Seon Ah

The country remains tied for No. 2 worldwide in passport power for the second year in a row.

Henley & Partners, a London-based investment migration consulting company, on July 21 said this in its latest report, with the Korean passport eligible for traveling to 188 countries either visa free or with a visa on arrival.

Korea shared the runner-up spot with Japan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while Singapore topped the list with 192 countries.

Since the inaugural index in 2006, the Korean passport now offers such convenient entry to 73 more countries, with Japan's rising by 60 and the UAE's by 153.

The U.S. held the top spot in the index's first year but fell this year to 10th with 180 countries. Henly said a factor behind the decline was the inability of Americans to enter China without a visa.

Afghanistan finished last in the rankings with just 22 countries and North Korea 97th with 35, joining other bottom dwellers like Nepal, Somalia, Yemen, Pakistan, Iraq and Syria.

sofiakim218@korea.kr