As the spread of COVID-19 is eased, routes between Busan and Japan are expected to open.

The route between Busan and Japan, which had been suspended for about two years due to the easing of the spread of COVID-19, is expected to be opened as early as September. However, due to the prolonged COVID-19, Korean passenger ships have been struggling with selling and closing their ships, so it is not known when Korean shipping companies will resume their flights to Japan in the future.

According to the Busan Port Authority and the Busan Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Agency on the 5th, JR Kyushu Group, a Japanese national, recently applied to the Busan Maritime Administration for a license to operate a high-speed passenger ship of the QUEEN BEETLE. The newly built Queen Beetle in 2020 (2582 tons) can accommodate 502 passengers. It was originally scheduled to operate two years ago, but it is known that it has recently applied for permission because it has not been able to operate due to the spread of COVID-19 in Japan, which began in 2019.

Meanwhile, all passenger ship operations between Korea and Japan have been suspended since April 2020 in the aftermath of COVID-19. The Queenbittle is scheduled to begin operations as early as September. An official from JR Kyushu's Busan branch said, "We are preparing to start operations such as issuing a license or testing, but we are planning to operate as early as September, but it may be delayed somewhat depending on quarantine or visa issues."

When the operation between Korea and Japan resumes, the Queen Beatles will return to Busan and Fukuoka (213km) once a day. The Busan Port Authority is also inspecting dock facilities and boarding bridges in preparation for the reopening of routes between Korea and Japan.