South Korea will extend a temporary visa-free entry program for visitors from Japan, Taiwan, and Macau to Oct. 31, in hopes of attracting more tourists to a series of upcoming cultural events, local media reported Wednesday.
Originally scheduled to run from Aug. 4 to Aug.31, the program has led to a 97-percent increase in the number of foreign visitors from Taiwan, Japan, and other countries in August from the previous month, according to national broadcaster KBS which cited an official statement issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
South Korean introduced the program ahead of the Seoul Festa 2022, which was held in Seoul from Aug. 10-14, bringing the number of countries qualifying for visa-free entry this month to 107.
The government decided to extend the measure in response to appeals from local governments and the tourism industry to boost international visitors to various events slated for September and October, including a BTS concert in Busan and other cultural events in Seoul, the report said.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel