South Korea announces visa-free travel to Jeju Island, Yangyang


The South Korean Embassy in the Philippines announced that the Korean government will allow visa-free entry to Jeju Island and Yangyang starting June 1.

“The visa-free entry policy to Jeju which has been suspended since 4 February 2020, to prevent the inflow of COVID19, will resume starting 1 June, 2022,” the Korean embassy posted on its website.

Seongsan Ilchulbong or Sunrise Peak in Jeju Island (Jonathan Hicap)

Jeju Island (Jonathan Hicap)

Seorak cable car in Sokcho, Gangwon Province (Korea Tourism Organization)

Filipino tourists can enter Jeju Island through direct flights only and stay up to 30 days.

“Some airlines are reportedly planning to schedule direct flights from the Philippines to Jeju soon. However, tourists are not permitted to travel to other regions outside Jeju,” the embassy added.

For Yangyang County in Gangwon Province, about 156 km. from Seoul, Filipino tourists need to book a group tour program by a designated travel agency.

“They are allowed to stay up to 15 days and travel around the cities and places in Gangwon Province and Seoul Metropolitan Area only. Please be advised that they must travel back to the Philippines via the Yangyang International airport,” the embassy explained.

It added, “Please note that foreign tourists are still required to comply with the existing health protocols.”

“The Korean Embassy hopes that the visa-free entry will promote people-to-people exchanges between Korea and the Philippines via tourism,” the embassy said.

List of travel agencies for Yangyang

Announcement for Jeju Island

Meanwhile, the Korean Embassy earlier announced that it will resume the issuance of all visas including tourist visa to Filipinos starting June 1. This will allow Filipino tourists to visit Korea including those who want to watch K-pop concerts or visit Korean drama filming sites.