S.Korea to grant visa-free entry to transit passengers from abroad

Transit passengers from select countries from Sunday can enter South Korea without a visa, and this waiver from May 15 will apply to a wider range of such travelers.

The Ministry of Justice on Friday said it will resume in phases visa-free entry for foreign transit passengers. The system was suspended in February 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Passengers transiting through third countries except 23 that ban visa-free entry to Jeju Island such as Syria, Sudan and Iran and those with Chinese youth groups on school trips qualify for visa-free entry. From May 15, the waiver will apply to regular transfer passengers at Incheon International Airport except from the 23 states, group tourists arriving in Jeju and Chinese group tourists with visas to enter Japan.

"This measure is expected to raise the number of foreign transit passengers entering the country and thus stimulate tourism and boost domestic consumption," a ministry official said.

Write to Kyung-Min Kang at kkm1026@hankyung.com