Jeju Island, South Korea's beloved tourist destination, is taking a stand as police have unveiled a new set of guidelines aimed at educating foreign visitors on appropriate behavior while vacationing on the island. This initiative follows a significant uptick in complaints from local residents regarding various forms of misconduct, including littering and inappropriate public behaviors.
The guidelines, which have been released in an unprecedented trilingual format—Chinese, English, and Korean—mark the first official attempt in the country to address tourist behavior explicitly. Jeju policing efforts coincide with the peak summer season, during which the holiday island, celebrated for its stunning landscapes, sandy beaches, shopping opportunities, and gambling attractions, has become a magnet for tourists, notably from China.
Kim Su-young, the chief of the Jeju Police Agency, emphasized that the guide is intended to "prevent misunderstandings due to language and cultural differences and improve foreigners' understanding of Korean culture and laws." The initial print run consists of 8,000 copies that will be widely distributed across key tourist areas.
Included in the guide are various "minor offenses" that could lead to fines, such as smoking in prohibited zones, littering, jaywalking, and public drunkenness, as well as more serious infractions like skipping out on restaurant bills or trespassing on private property. While first-time offenders may receive a warning, repeat offenders could face fines as high as 200,000 won (approximately $143 or £106).
The initiative aligns with South Korea's broader effort to manage the resurgence of tourism in the wake of the pandemic, with Jeju alone reportedly receiving over seven million visitors this year. Previous estimates project that in 2024, foreign spending in the island's economy could reach a staggering 9.26 trillion won, with around 70% of tourists originating from China.
This measure also reflects a growing trend across Asia, where tourism hotspots are increasingly addressing the challenges posed by over-tourism. For instance, last year, a Japanese town took the drastic step of blocking access to a popular scenic view of Mount Fuji to deter overwhelming visitor traffic.
As the tourism landscape continues to evolve, the steps taken by Jeju's police highlight the delicate balance between welcoming guests and maintaining local community standards.
The guidelines, which have been released in an unprecedented trilingual format—Chinese, English, and Korean—mark the first official attempt in the country to address tourist behavior explicitly. Jeju policing efforts coincide with the peak summer season, during which the holiday island, celebrated for its stunning landscapes, sandy beaches, shopping opportunities, and gambling attractions, has become a magnet for tourists, notably from China.
Kim Su-young, the chief of the Jeju Police Agency, emphasized that the guide is intended to "prevent misunderstandings due to language and cultural differences and improve foreigners' understanding of Korean culture and laws." The initial print run consists of 8,000 copies that will be widely distributed across key tourist areas.
Included in the guide are various "minor offenses" that could lead to fines, such as smoking in prohibited zones, littering, jaywalking, and public drunkenness, as well as more serious infractions like skipping out on restaurant bills or trespassing on private property. While first-time offenders may receive a warning, repeat offenders could face fines as high as 200,000 won (approximately $143 or £106).
The initiative aligns with South Korea's broader effort to manage the resurgence of tourism in the wake of the pandemic, with Jeju alone reportedly receiving over seven million visitors this year. Previous estimates project that in 2024, foreign spending in the island's economy could reach a staggering 9.26 trillion won, with around 70% of tourists originating from China.
This measure also reflects a growing trend across Asia, where tourism hotspots are increasingly addressing the challenges posed by over-tourism. For instance, last year, a Japanese town took the drastic step of blocking access to a popular scenic view of Mount Fuji to deter overwhelming visitor traffic.
As the tourism landscape continues to evolve, the steps taken by Jeju's police highlight the delicate balance between welcoming guests and maintaining local community standards.
