According to government officials, the policy is a response to China’s decision last November to grant visa-free entry to South Korean citizens and is expected to further boost a tourism market that is already recovering rapidly.
An official stated that “the implementation of this visa waiver program is expected to help boost demand for travel to Korea, revitalize regional economies and fuel domestic consumption.” The government is also coordinating with relevant departments to advance the policy, which is a reciprocal measure following China’s move.
In the first quarter of this year, South Korea received 4.3 million visitors, with Chinese travelers making up nearly twenty-five percent of the total. The decision to introduce the measure ahead of an October holiday period in China is a strategic move to boost the domestic economy.
