"Youke are coming".. Visa-free entry temporarily allowed for Chinese group tourists

[Financial News] The government will temporarily allow visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists of three or more people. The implementation period is from the end of this month until the first half of next year. 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 7th that it will start accepting lists of Chinese group tourists from the 22nd. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that Chinese group tourists entering without a visa can tour domestically within a 15-day range. Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, which is subject to the Special Act for the Creation of an International Free City, will continue to allow both individual and group tourism without a visa for 30 days as before.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will guide the designation and registration of domestic and foreign travel agencies responsible for the visa-free entry of Chinese group tourists from August 8 to 19. Domestic travel agencies designated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and visa application agency travel agencies designated by the Korean Embassy in China (overseas travel agencies) will oversee the recruitment of Chinese group tourists. The Korean Embassy in China will notify the Ministry of Justice's immigration agency of the designation application details of the travel agency. The Ministry of Justice's immigration agency will notify the relevant Korean Embassy in China and the travel agency of the designation results.
To minimize side effects such as illegal stay, measures such as pre-checking the list of group tourists and operating the dedicated travel agency system will be prepared. Persons identified as high-risk groups will be excluded from visa-free entry and must obtain a separate visa from the overseas diplomatic mission to enter.
The Ministry of Justice's immigration agency will notify the domestic dedicated travel agency of the inspection results up to 12 hours before group entry (24 hours before entry by ship). Domestic dedicated travel agencies can check and print the list through HiKorea. To prevent the departure of group tourists and ensure effective management of dedicated travel agencies, designations will be immediately canceled in the event of a tourist departure accident caused by intent or collusion. The criteria for disposition will be strengthened, such as canceling the designation if the quarterly average departure rate is 2% or more. Previously, the designation was canceled if the quarterly average departure rate was 5% or more. 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "The implementation of the temporary visa-free system for Chinese group tourists is expected to have a positive ripple effect on the entire tourism industry, including the food service, lodging, and duty-free shop sectors," and "It is expected to invigorate the regional economy by expanding inflows to major tourist destinations not only in the metropolitan area but also in local areas." It also expected to greatly contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of both countries through the expansion of human exchanges between Korea and China. Previously, the government decided to introduce a temporary visa-free system for Chinese group tourists at a tourism activation mini policy task force (TF) meeting chaired by the Prime Minister last month. 
rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter