Chinese visitors attend samgyetang tasting in South Korea. (Photo : Getty Images)
The China National Tourism Administration, the country's top tourism authority, has warned tourists of the risks in the entry policy changes that South Korea has implemented for Chinese citizens.
The China tourism authority stated on its website: "The number of incidents involving Chinese citizens' entry to Jeju Island of South Korea has risen sharply recently. Some of them were denied entry and waited a long time at airports before they were repatriated, which has attracted wide public attention."
The administration "lodged serious representations" after it met with officials from the South Korean embassy in Beijing and officials from the country's cultural organizations.
They have warned Chinese citizens to be aware of the risks of going to trips overseas and to be careful with choosing their destinations. They have advised tourists planning a South Korea travel to know the entry policy of the country and prepare documents as required.
"If you are caught in an emergency or unfairly treated or involved in a dispute, contact the local Chinese embassy or consulates immediately. Evidence of the matter should be gathered and saved in case complaints or legal suits are lodged in the future," the administration said.
Some of China's tourism agencies have stopped providing South Korea tours over the past week due to the administration's advice.
Wanzhong Tourism Travel Service cancelled all South Korean tourism products and issued a statement last Friday.
Guo Jinming, the head of online sales of Wanzhong, said: "The company thought it was the right decision to cancel recent trips to South Korea and regarded it as a patriotic move by a tourist company, as South Korea has provided land to the U.S. forces stationed to deploy the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense."
According to Guo, Wanzhong is busy refunding clients. The company will cover all their customers' losses from canceling the trips.
