S. Korea to allow cruise ship passengers to disembark at all ports

SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will allow passengers on cruise ships to
disembark at all ports in an effort to help fuel tourism, the government said
Sunday.
The revision to the current immigration rules will exempt passengers arriving at
local ports for non-commercial tourism purposes from existing immigration rules
and permits landing to view various sites on land, the Korea Customs Service
(KCS) said.
Of the more than 500 ports in the country, disembarkation was only allowed in 23
major harbors, including such cities as Busan, Incheon and Mokpo that have
immigration, customs and regional port offices that could check passengers.
The KCS said existing rules unnecessarily hindered tourism at many sites that
could attract foreign visitors.
For example, foreigners on cruise ships could get off at Jeju port in the
northern part of Jeju Island, but could not do so in Seogwipo located in the
southern region, closer to the Jungmun Tourist Resort Complex.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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