South Korea welcomes Chinese tourists: Short-term visa-free entry from late September

A crowd of tourists walks through Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul, on October 25, 2024.
Reuters

China can visit South Korea without a visa from the end of September until June next year. Seoul made the announcement for temporary visa-free entry to tourist groups on Wednesday (6 August).

China can visit South Korea without a visa from the end of September until June next year. Seoul made the announcement for temporary visa-free entry to tourist groups on Wednesday (6 August).

The measure is aimed to strengthen diplomatic ties between the two countries under the new South Korean administration of liberal President Lee Jae Myung.

Foreign tourist numbers begin to rebound following years of pandemic-related downturns.

According to reports, 4.6 million people from China visited South Korea in 2024. Since 2020, the number of Chinese tourists to South Korea has changed drastically, marking a significant shift in international travel trends and making a major impact among foreign visitors.

It’s reported that South Korea is positioning itself to regain competitiveness in the regional tourism market. The move follows China after it offered a similar visa exemption last November to South Koreans and foreign visitors.

Meanwhile, the move is also expected to boost foreign tourism ahead of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit (APEC), according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. 

The summit will be held from 31 October to 1 November in the southeastern city of Gyeongju hosting around 21 countries.

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