Starting from Sept 29, South Korea has implemented a trial visa-free entry for Chinese tour groups, which was a positive response to China’s trial visa-free for South Korea that began in November 2024, said a spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in South Korea, according to a statement issued by the embassy on Thursday. 

The introduction of visa facilitation measures by both China and South Korea is beneficial for promoting exchanges between the two countries, enhancing mutual understanding and friendship and fostering commercial development. According to South Korean statistics and media reports, the number of Chinese tourists visiting South Korea has increased significantly in recent days, along with a notable rise in sales for businesses in areas such as Seoul’s Myeongdong, according to the statement.

The central and local governments, the tourism industry and mainstream media in South Korea have all welcomed this move, and the South Korean public has shown friendliness and enthusiasm, according to the statement.

At the same time, we regret to note that some South Korean political figures have been spreading misinformation, and individual far-right groups have intermittently held anti-China demonstrations in areas with high concentrations of Chinese tourists such as Seoul’s Myeongdong and Daerim-dong. Both China and South Korea have explicitly opposed such actions, said the spokesperson.

It has been learned that certain far-right forces in South Korea are scheduled to hold an anti-China rally in central Seoul on Oct 3. They have chosen to do this on the festive occasion of the Chinese National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival, as well as the South Korean celebration of Gaecheonjeol and the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is a deliberate provocation and will not gain public support, according to the statement.

The Chinese Embassy in South Korea reminds Chinese tourists currently in South Korea or planning to visit to remain highly vigilant and pay attention to their personal safety. We also sternly demand that the South Korean side effectively ensure the safety and legal rights of Chinese nationals in South Korea, said the spokesperson.

According to the statement, recently, senior officials of the South Korean government and various insightful figures have clearly said that the anti-China rhetoric and actions of a minority of forces are damaging South Korea’s national image and interests, and have called for a serious response. We believe that with the joint efforts of all sectors in China and South Korea, the strategic cooperative partnership between China and South Korea will surely develop positively, and the schemes of a few political forces will not succeed, said the spokesperson.