Government to ease entry rules to boost economy via tourism

Korea aims to attract 10 million tourists this year

Korea will temporarily exempt citizens of 22 visa-waiver countries from needing electronic travel authorization, simplifying entry procedures in a bid to boost tourism and spur domestic spending, the government said Wednesday.

The government also said it will restore transit visa exemptions for travelers from 34 countries and allow them to stay here for up to 30 days.

These measures, announced during an emergency meeting presided over by President Yoon Suk Yeol, are aimed at capitalizing on Korea’s growing popularity as a global tourist destination to bolster the domestic economy.

Domestic spending remains a key to curbing Korea’s economic slowdown, but it has been seriously weakened by persistently high inflation.

As the government’s cash handouts to the general public during the pandemic to boost domestic consumption provoked price hikes, the government is instead opting to bring in foreign tourists to the country, hoping to attract 10 million tourists this year.

“Stabilizing people’s livelihoods is most important in times of economic crisis, and the country should think of ways to create wealth by spurring domestic consumption along with increasing export,” the president said during the meeting that was centered on the economy and people’s livelihoods. “The government thus will ease visa and other entry rules for the convenience of foreign travelers.”

In a separate joint government briefing, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho said boosting tourism is expected to offer “tailor-made support” for small business owners in the service sector.

The 22 countries exempted from electronic travel authorization include the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan. The citizens of those countries recorded low rates of entry denial after signing up for an online travel permit, the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA).

Travelers from a total of 110 visa-waiver countries must go through K-ETA.

The K-ETA exemption rule runs through the end of 2024.

The 34 countries subject to transit visa exemptions include the U.S. and a dozen European countries.

Korea will additionally allow Chinese tour groups traveling through any of seven domestic airports on their way to Jeju Island to stay in the areas where they stop over for up to five days without visas.

To offer a wide range of experiences for foreign tourists, the government plans to organize K-pop concerts plus large-scale events centered around shopping, food and culture.

Concerts are planned from April to October, including Seoul Festa 2023 in the nation’s capital in April and a musical festival in the southeastern port city of Busan in May.

For domestic travelers, the government will spend 60 billion won ($46 million), including 30,000 won discount coupons for accommodation, for up to 1 million people.