Seoul: A temporary visa waiver program for Indonesian group tourists visiting South Korea will begin this week, officials announced. Under this initiative, Indonesian tour groups consisting of three or more individuals will be permitted to enter the country without a visa for up to 15 days, starting Thursday and continuing through the end of December this year, as reported by the justice ministry.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the decision to ease visa and entry requirements for foreign tourists was made during a tourism strategy meeting chaired by President Lee Jae Myung in February. This move is part of efforts to enhance inbound tourism across the nation. The temporary visa-free program is anticipated to significantly contribute to the growth of South Korea's tourism industry, as stated by the Korea Immigration Service.
To mitigate risks of illegal stays, the government has introduced several measures. Among these is a requirement for South Korean travel agencies to register with a government website, listing their tourists 24 hours prior to their entry into the country. The justice ministry will scrutinize these lists to determine if they contain high-risk individuals, such as those with entry restrictions or a history of illegal stays. Such individuals will be excluded from the visa waiver program.
Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho emphasized the commitment to collaborate with relevant ministries to ensure that the program not only stimulates domestic consumption but also maintains order concerning the stay of foreign tourists.