Director of Immigration Chan Kwok-ki has signed a deal with South Korea on the use of automated clearance services, marking a new milestone in immigration co-operation between Hong Kong and the country.

He signed the Memorandum of Understanding with Commissioner of the Korea Immigration Service Jeong Dong-min today.

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 South Korean passport holders, and enhance trade, business and tourism links between Hong Kong and Korea, the department said.

The service will be implemented by year's-end.