S Korea eases way for HK tourists

Visitors from Hong Kong and Macau are no longer required to apply for an electronic travel permit before traveling to South Korea as the country aims to attract 10 million foreign tourists this year.

Before the exemption, foreign tourists including Hongkongers had to pay 10,000 won (HK$60) to apply for the Korea electronic travel authorization online.

South Korea's finance ministry yesterday said the exemption - for visitors from 22 visa-free regions, including Hong Kong and Macau, Taiwan, the United States and Japan - starts on Saturday.

But the exemption is temporary - until the end of next year.

Korea has been struggling to boost its economy, with retail sales and private spending dropping by 2.1 percent in January - marking the fifth straight month of fall in retail sales.

Last year, 3.19 million travelers visited South Korea - or 18 percent of a prepandemic record high of 17.5 million - earning the country US$20.7 billion (HK$161.46 billion).

The K-ETA, valid for two years, is required for travelers from 110 visa-waiver nations.

Deputy prime minister Choo Kyung Ho said: "We are waiving the K-ETA requirements and enhancing the visa systems to the 22 countries since their possibility of illegal stay is low."

Seoul is also resuming transit visa exemptions for passengers from 34 nations including the United States and those in Europe to allow them to stay for up to 30 days.

Chinese group tours heading to Jeju airport can also stay for up to five days in the cities where the other seven airports are located - Seoul, for example - before transiting to the island.

Also, visa issuance will be relaxed for group visitors from Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia and new visa programs will be created for high-income foreigners and young people.

"We will actively increase flights to China, Japan and Southeast Asia to recover to 80 to 90 percent of the prepandemic levels," Choo said.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com