The South Korean government has officially unveiled a sweeping policy package aimed at driving a surge in international tourism, including a pilot visa-free scheme for Indonesian tourists. The initiative is part of Seoul’s ambitious goal to attract 30 million inbound visitors within the next few years.
According to The Korea Times, the policy package was announced during the 11th National Tourism Strategy Meeting, chaired by President Lee Jae Myung. The measures reflect the government’s broader push to strengthen tourism as a key growth engine for the national economy.
Citing The Chosun Daily, South Korea will grant five-year multiple-entry visas to travelers from 11 countries in China and Southeast Asia who have a prior record of visiting Korea. The policy is further expanded to include 10-year multiple-entry visas for residents of 14 major Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, as well as three cities in Vietnam, including Hanoi.
Eased Access and Faster Immigration Processing
Indonesia has been included in a pilot group-based visa-free program, applicable to travel groups of three people or more, as part of efforts to lower entry barriers. According to Korea JoongAng Daily, approximately 370,000 Indonesian tourists visited South Korea last year.
The government expects the relaxation to generate significant growth, drawing on the experience of Japan, which recorded a sharp increase in Indonesian visitors after introducing visa-free access in 2014.
In parallel, South Korea is expanding its automated immigration system to include citizens of the European Union, complementing the 18 countries that already enjoy the facility. The number of automated gates will also be increased to speed up entry and exit procedures.
To further support tourism flows, cruise terminals in Busan will begin trial 24-hour operations. Alongside these measures, the government has set a target of 23 million foreign visitors this year, positioning it as a stepping stone toward reaching the 30-million mark earlier than originally planned.
Spreading Visitors Beyond Seoul
The reforms target not only points of entry but also the distribution of visitors. At present, more than 80 percent of tourist arrivals are concentrated in Seoul and its surrounding areas.
Citing The Chosun Daily, the South Korean government plans to expand direct international flights to regional airports by offering fee reduction incentives to airlines, while also strengthening domestic connectivity from Incheon International Airport.
Late night airport bus services will be extended to Chungcheong and Gangwon provinces. Advance booking for Korea Train Express tickets will also be opened earlier to support smoother travel planning.
In the accommodation sector, the government is preparing a quality certification system and encouraging the development of premium lodging based on traditional architecture, including hanok homes and temple stays. Urban homestays, which were previously restricted for foreign tourists, are now being opened to both domestic and international travelers.
Through the Visit Korea Year campaign running from 2027 to 2029, South Korea will also promote lifestyle based tourism products ranging from beauty routes and culinary experiences to hiking, with the aim of encouraging deeper engagement with local life.
In 2025, South Korea recorded more than 18 million foreign visitors, surpassing the pre pandemic record of 17 million and marking an increase of around 15 percent from the previous year. However, this figure still lags behind Japan, which logged 43 million visits during the same period.
