Hong Kong has decided not to recognize COVID-19 vaccination certifications issued by South Korea. 

The South Korean Consulate General in Hong Kong said on Thursday on its website that the Hong Kong government has adopted a more stringent policy on certificates and will not recognize COVID-19 vaccination certificates issued by South Korea from Friday. 

Under the new policy, South Korean nationals must secure a visa to visit and quarantine for three weeks at a designated hotel. 

Hong Kong said it will only recognize its own vaccination certifications, and those from authorities in mainland China, Macau, or the 36 regulatory authorities that the World Health Organization(WHO) has deemed a "stringent regulatory authority."  

The WHO-designated 36 authorities include the United States, Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Hungary, Romania and Slovenia, but not South Korea.