The rapid growth of tourism in South Korea’s Jeju Island, driven by its visa-free entry policy, has paralleled an increase in criminal activities. This development has sparked worries within the travel sector that the island might start losing tourists as a result.
According to data provided by the Jeju Provincial Police and the Jeju Tourism Association, visitor numbers to the island jumped from approximately 80,000 in 2022 to around 700,000 in 2023, and surged even higher to about 1.9 million in the most recent year recorded.
Nevertheless, this rising popularity has led to an escalation in crime rates, with reported incidents increasing from 500 in 2019 to 608 in 2023.
South China Morning Post
reported.
To stimulate tourism, Jeju Island has implemented a visa-free entry initiative, enabling citizens from 111 nations and regions to visit without obtaining a visa beforehand. According to this regulation, international visitors are allowed to remain on the island for as long as 30 days; however, they are prohibited from visiting other areas within South Korea.
Earlier this year, a survey revealed that approximately half of Jeju residents were worried about the increase in local crime due to casinos exclusive to foreigners on the island. They also urged the government to implement more stringent regulations, as reported.
The Korea Times
.
In response to these issues, Jeju police initiated a “100-day intensive law enforcement operation” beginning on March 23rd. This initiative targets offenses committed by foreign nationals as well as breaches of public order.
Along with exorbitant costs, criminal activities carried out by non-residents might further deter local travel,” stated an association representative. They also cautioned that should unfavorable feelings persist, visitors from abroad might start to rethink their decision to come to Jeju.
Renowned for its stunning landscapes, laid-back lifestyle, and distinctive culture, Jeju has consistently attracted tourists from within Korea as well as from abroad.
The South Korean government is likewise endeavoring to boost promotion for the island, particularly due to the success of the popular Netflix Korean series “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” which was shot in Jeju.
Launched on March 7 across 190 nations, the show featuring IU and Park Bo-gum secured the fifth spot worldwide on Netflix’s list of top TV series, as reported by FlixPatrol, the streaming data tracker.
