South Korea has introduced a visa-free regime for Chinese tourist groups, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
The measure, which takes effect from today, aims to stimulate the economy and help improve South Korea's ties with China.
As part of the pilot program, which will be valid until June next year, groups of three or more tourists from mainland China will be able to stay in the country without a visa for 15 days.
The action comes ahead of China's National Day from October 1 to 8, as well as a series of South Korean holidays that take place at the same time.
South Korean companies are looking to capitalize on the increased demand. "Shilla Duty Free" Shilla Duty Free is organizing a Chinese cruise tour, and food delivery app Baedal Minjok is introducing Alipay and WeChat Pay payment options. (WeChat Pay).
The program, announced in March, follows China's decision last November to offer visa waivers for South Korean citizens for up to 30 days.
The last time South Korea offered such a visa-free regime for mainland China was from December 2017 to March 2018, which coincided with the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
The new administration of South Korean President Lee Jae-myeon hopes to further improve relations with China during President Xi Jinping's expected visit to South Korea in late October for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
Meanwhile, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported today that South Korea and the United States will hold their first working group meeting on the issue of visa regimes for Korean companies with business activities in the United States on September 30. The agency cited the South Korean Foreign Ministry.
The talks are aimed at improving US visa programs that directly affect South Korean business activities in the US. The reason for this is the arrests of hundreds of South Korean workers in the US state of Georgia earlier this month.