Jeju Island, South Korea’s popular holiday destination, has made headlines as officials take a firm stance on maintaining order among the influx of international tourists. For the first time, local police have issued guidelines underscoring the need for visitors to adhere to local customs and laws or face the possibility of fines. This move comes after mounting complaints from residents regarding foreign tourists' misconduct, including littering and allowing children to relieve themselves in public spaces.
The guidelines, available in English, Chinese, and Korean, have been created to mitigate misunderstandings stemming from language and cultural disparities. According to Jeju Police Agency head, Kim Su-young, the initiative aims to enhance tourists' understanding of Korean society while promoting a respectful atmosphere on the island during the busy summer tourist season.
Authorities have prepared an initial batch of 8,000 copies of the guidelines, which detail a range of “minor offences.” Offenders may face fines for smoking in restricted areas, littering, jaywalking, causing disturbances while intoxicated, and public urination or defecation. First-time violations typically result in warnings, but repeated infractions could incur fines as high as 200,000 won (approximately $143 or £106).
2023 has proven to be a robust year for tourism in South Korea, with Jeju alone accommodating over seven million visitors to date. Local media estimates that foreign tourists contributed a staggering 9.26 trillion won to the local economy in 2024, with nearly 70% hailing from China. The call for tourist decorum in Jeju mirrors trends seen across various Asian destinations grappling with overtourism and its consequences. For instance, a town in Japan recently restricted views of Mount Fuji to deter crowds from converging for selfies.
The guidelines, available in English, Chinese, and Korean, have been created to mitigate misunderstandings stemming from language and cultural disparities. According to Jeju Police Agency head, Kim Su-young, the initiative aims to enhance tourists' understanding of Korean society while promoting a respectful atmosphere on the island during the busy summer tourist season.
Authorities have prepared an initial batch of 8,000 copies of the guidelines, which detail a range of “minor offences.” Offenders may face fines for smoking in restricted areas, littering, jaywalking, causing disturbances while intoxicated, and public urination or defecation. First-time violations typically result in warnings, but repeated infractions could incur fines as high as 200,000 won (approximately $143 or £106).
2023 has proven to be a robust year for tourism in South Korea, with Jeju alone accommodating over seven million visitors to date. Local media estimates that foreign tourists contributed a staggering 9.26 trillion won to the local economy in 2024, with nearly 70% hailing from China. The call for tourist decorum in Jeju mirrors trends seen across various Asian destinations grappling with overtourism and its consequences. For instance, a town in Japan recently restricted views of Mount Fuji to deter crowds from converging for selfies.
