As tourism surges, Jeju Island aims to educate foreign visitors on acceptable behavior through a new guide detailing fines for various offenses, emphasizing the need for cultural understanding.
Jeju Island Issues Behavior Guidelines for Tourists Amid Rising Visitor Numbers
Jeju Island Issues Behavior Guidelines for Tourists Amid Rising Visitor Numbers
Jeju police have released a multilingual guide reminding tourists to adhere to local laws as complaints about misbehavior rise.
Police in Jeju Island, South Korea, have made headlines by introducing new behavior guidelines for tourists, marking a first for the region. This initiative has come about due to growing concerns among locals over tourists' misbehavior, which includes issues like littering and children defecating in public areas. The guidelines, now available in Chinese, English, and Korean, have emerged during the summer peak season as the island experiences an influx of visitors.
Jeju, renowned for its stunning nature—featuring beautiful beaches, scenic walking paths, and picturesque mountains—is a favored destination for shopping, gambling, and other leisure activities, especially among tourists from China. Jeju Police Agency chief Kim Su-young stated that the guide is designed to minimize misunderstandings stemming from cultural and language differences while enhancing foreign visitors' knowledge of Korean laws and societal norms.
The initial print run of the guide consists of 8,000 copies, which will be distributed promptly. The guidelines outline various "minor offenses" that can result in fines, including smoking in restricted areas, littering, jaywalking, public drunkenness, dining and dashing, public urination or defecation, using fake IDs, and trespassing. First-time offenders will receive warnings, while recurrent violators could face fines up to 200,000 won ($143; £106).
As travel rebounds post-pandemic, Jeju has welcomed approximately seven million tourists so far this year, with significant contributions to the local economy amounting to a record 9.26 trillion won in 2024. The move by Jeju authorities serves as part of a more extensive response across Asia to the growing challenges of overtourism, following actions taken in places like Japan aimed at preserving local spaces from tourist interference.
