Relax visa issuance to boost economy
Though spending highly when arriving in South Korea, more than 88 percent of Chinese tourists do not revisit, according to figures from the South Korean Ministry of Justice.
The South Korean government regards extending the validity of visas as an important part of "2016 economic policy direction" and plans to improve visa issuance step by step.
According to its plan, Chinese group tourists can apply for e-visas from March. As 2016 coincides with South Korean tourism year, group tourists are exempt from visa fees for the whole year.
The government is expected to issue a new-type visa, Korean Wave visa, which combines the experiences of popular culture, plastic surgery and leisure. Applicants can have lower requirements on economic ability, age, education background and job, as well as enjoy onsite tax refunds in duty free shops.
