Recent incidents in Jeju and controversies surrounding police responses have sparked a national petition calling for the abolition of the visa-free entry system for Chinese nationals and the strengthening of foreign entry inspections and crime management.
According to the National Assembly's electronic petition site, as of 8 a.m. on September 8, 24,794 people had signed the petition titled "Abolish Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Nationals and Strengthen Foreign Entry Inspections and Crime Management," which was made public on August 31.
The petitioner stated, "As the number of foreign residents in the country increases, public concern over foreign crime is also growing," urging the government to abolish the visa-free entry policy for Chinese nationals and enhance entry inspections and crime management for foreigners.
They emphasized, "While tourism activation and economic benefits are important, they cannot take precedence over the lives and safety of our citizens," calling for a review of the visa-free entry policy.
Furthermore, the petitioner highlighted the need to expand international crime information sharing to verify the criminal records and international wanted status of foreigners entering the country, regardless of nationality, as well as any past records of entry denial, forced deportation, illegal stay, or immigration law violations.
They also suggested that stricter criteria should be established to generally restrict entry for foreigners with serious criminal histories, including murder, robbery, sexual offenses, drug-related crimes, and organized crime.
The petition called for enhanced management of foreigners after entry, arguing that police and immigration authorities should strengthen information sharing to prevent foreign criminals from evading investigation or fleeing abroad after committing crimes. It proposed a system that allows for swift exit restrictions on foreign suspects when necessary.
Additionally, the petitioner urged for stricter criteria to limit the re-entry of foreigners who have been forcibly deported after committing serious crimes and called for the establishment of an integrated management system linking crime information among immigration, police, and prosecution authorities.
They also requested that crime statistics related to foreigners be transparently disclosed, including crime rates relative to the resident population and the status of serious crimes.
The petitioner clarified, "This is not about rejecting foreigners, but about establishing a normal immigration management system that prioritizes the safety of our citizens and ensures that everyone entering South Korea adheres to the law and order."
Meanwhile, another petition demanding the abolition of the visa-free entry system for Chinese nationals was submitted on September 1. The petitioner referenced recent missing person and death cases in Jeju, along with controversies regarding police responses, arguing that the government's handling of security and illegal residency issues in Jeju is inadequate.
They called for the immediate abolition of the visa-free entry system for Chinese nationals.
The Jeju visa waiver entry system (B-2-2) allows foreigners who meet certain criteria to enter and stay in Jeju without a visa for up to 30 days. While it has been implemented to promote tourism and attract foreign visitors, concerns over security and illegal residency have led to ongoing debates about the system.
Recent incidents in Jeju and controversies surrounding police responses have amplified public anxiety regarding the visa waiver system.
Online communities have seen a surge in voices demanding the abolition of the visa-free entry system. One netizen questioned, "I don't understand who benefits from this policy," raising doubts about its effectiveness.
Another netizen remarked, "Isn't there a reason why other countries are tightening entry inspections for Chinese nationals?" advocating for stricter foreign entry management standards in South Korea.
Opinions also emerged emphasizing that while increasing tourist numbers through visa-free entry is important, the safety and comfort of South Korean citizens must come first, and that management and punishment for foreign crimes should be strengthened.
Some have pointed to the foreign entry and residency management policies of neighboring countries like Japan, arguing that South Korea should also establish stricter standards.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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