Jeju home to China consulate
A Chinese consulate on Jeju Island will open its doors Saturday amid high expectations that its presence will bolster tourist arrivals from China.The opening comes seven years after the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province made an official request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to allow the setting up of a Chinese Consulate.
Jeju Island has already seen a spike in the number of Chinese tourists in recent years.
More than 550,000 Chinese visited the island last year, an almost 10-fold increase from the 57,200 Chinese visitors in 2000.
Starting in 2008, Chinese tourists have not needed a visa to visit Jeju.
The office will assume duties from the Chinese consulate in Gwangju. It will also trim the time needed for Jeju residents to get visas to China.
By Kang Jin-kyu [jkkang2@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)