SEOUL, September 8 (AJP) - A petition calling for an end to visa-free entry for Chinese nationals and stronger immigration screening for foreign travelers has gained more than 20,000 signatures amid growing public concern over recent crimes and bizarre cases on Jeju Island.
The petition, posted on the National Assembly's website late last month, has garnered some 24,794 signatures in about a week as of Tuesday.
Supporters urged the government to scrap visa-free entry for Chinese nationals, arguing that public safety should be the priority.
They also called for stricter screening of foreign visitors regardless of nationality by sharing criminal and immigration records with other countries including previous records of illegal stays, deportations and other immigration violations.
Jeju's visa-waiver program currently allows eligible foreign visitors to stay on the southern resort island without a visa for up to 30 days.
The program, introduced to boost tourism and attract international visitors, began with group travelers in 2002 and was expanded to individual travelers in 2008. It is now stoking fresh debate over public safety following a string of recent incidents on the island and criticism of police's belated response.
AJP Takeaways
- A South Korean National Assembly petition calling for an end to visa-free entry for Chinese nationals in Jeju has gathered 24,794 signatures in about a week as of Tuesday.
- Petition supporters are calling for stricter screening of foreign visitors regardless of nationality, including greater sharing of criminal and immigration records such as illegal stays, deportations and other violations.
- Jeju's visa-waiver program allows eligible foreign visitors to stay on the southern resort island for up to 30 days without a visa, but the policy is facing renewed public safety concerns.
The petition, posted on the National Assembly's website late last month, has garnered some 24,794 signatures in about a week as of Tuesday.
Supporters urged the government to scrap visa-free entry for Chinese nationals, arguing that public safety should be the priority.
They also called for stricter screening of foreign visitors regardless of nationality by sharing criminal and immigration records with other countries including previous records of illegal stays, deportations and other immigration violations.
Jeju's visa-waiver program currently allows eligible foreign visitors to stay on the southern resort island without a visa for up to 30 days.
The program, introduced to boost tourism and attract international visitors, began with group travelers in 2002 and was expanded to individual travelers in 2008. It is now stoking fresh debate over public safety following a string of recent incidents on the island and criticism of police's belated response.
AJP Takeaways
- A South Korean National Assembly petition calling for an end to visa-free entry for Chinese nationals in Jeju has gathered 24,794 signatures in about a week as of Tuesday.
- Petition supporters are calling for stricter screening of foreign visitors regardless of nationality, including greater sharing of criminal and immigration records such as illegal stays, deportations and other violations.
- Jeju's visa-waiver program allows eligible foreign visitors to stay on the southern resort island for up to 30 days without a visa, but the policy is facing renewed public safety concerns.
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