South Korea to Grant Visa-Free Access for Indonesian Tourists
The South Korean government has officially announced a major reform of its tourism policy, including plans to offer visa-free access to Indonesian tourists. This move is part of an ambitious strategy to attract 30 million foreign tourists in the coming years.
The policy was announced at the 11th National Tourism Strategy Meeting, chaired by President Lee Jae Myung and attended by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and representatives from 15 ministries and tourism industry stakeholders.
According to the Korea Times, in a trial scheme, Indonesian tourists arriving in groups of at least three people will be granted visa-free access. In addition, citizens of China and other Southeast Asian countries who have previously visited Korea will be eligible for a five-year multiple-entry visa.
Residents of major cities in the country will even be able to apply for a 10-year visa. Furthermore, the automated immigration gate system at airports, which was previously only available to 18 countries such as Japan, Singapore, and Australia, will now be extended to all citizens of the European Union.
Throughout 2025, South Korea recorded more than 18 million foreign tourist visits, exceeding pre-pandemic levels of around 17 million. This figure is up about 15% compared to 2024.
However, this achievement is still far behind Japan, which recorded a record 43 million visits during the same period, driven by the weakening yen, which has made tourism more competitive.
Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young said that the global momentum of K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean cultural exports represents a golden age for the domestic tourism industry. The government has also launched an initiative called “K-Tourism Embraces the World” to maximize this opportunity.
The new strategy also aims to reduce the concentration of tourists in Seoul. The government will add international direct flights to regional airports by providing special cost incentives and air traffic rights. Domestic connecting flights from Incheon to regional airports will be increased. Night airport bus services, which were previously only available on 13 routes in the Seoul area, will be expanded to Chungcheong and Gangwon provinces. KTX high-speed train tickets will also be available for booking earlier than the current one-month limit.
Combating “Unfair Pricing” for Tourists
The issue of unfair pricing practices against tourists is also a focus. The government is implementing a zero-tolerance policy for businesses that do not display prices or violate posted rates.
A self-reporting system for prices will be implemented for accommodation, including the requirement to register seasonal rates in advance. Car rental companies on Jeju Island will be subject to price increase limits during peak season. Hotels that cancel reservations without a clear reason will also be subject to sanctions.
In addition, the government plans to enact the Accommodation Promotion Act and develop a premium accommodation model in the style of Spain’s “parador” by converting traditional hanoks, temples, and folk villages into high-end lodging destinations.
President Lee stressed that tourism should be seen as a strategic national industry, not just about selling travel products. According to him, this sector should be able to create valuable memories for tourists while also turning K-culture fans into actual visitors to Korea.
The government is also preparing a ‘Visit Korea Year’ campaign for the 2027-2029 period, focusing on lifestyle-based tourism such as K-beauty routes, K-food culinary tours, and Korean-style hiking experiences.