South Korea’s Jeju Island, a leading vacation spot for its beaches, hiking trails, and volcanic landscapes, has made a rare move to address tourist bad behavior. For the first time, the local police released a handbook to remind foreign tourists to act responsibly and warned that offenders could be fined for repeated abuses.
The handbook, which is published in Chinese, English, and Korean, follows an escalation of complaints from residents that have included inappropriate behavior by tourists, including littering and the letting of children defecate on the street. It is intended to avert misunderstandings based on cultural and language differences as well as enhancing foreigners’ knowledge of Korean law and customs, said Jeju Police Agency head Kim Su-young.
Guidelines and Fines for Minor Offences
The manual mentions “minor offences” that can incur fines. Some of these are smoking in no-smoking areas, littering, jaywalking, drunk or disorderly conduct, not paying for meals at restaurants, public urination or defecation, and using false IDs to enter vacant residences. One-time offenders will normally be issued a warning, with repeated offenses calling for fines of up to 200,000 won ($143; £106).
An initial shipment of 8,000 copies of the guide will be given out on the island, focusing on areas frequented by overseas visitors.
Tourism Recovery and Economic Effects
South Korea has registered an impressive post-pandemic recovery of tourism, and Jeju Island alone has hosted seven million tourists this year so far. Foreign tourists in 2024 brought a record 9.26 trillion won into the domestic economy, with almost 70% being from China.
The action is part of a wider trend throughout Asia as tourist hotspots introduce measures to control over-tourism. The previous year, a Japanese town limited access to a popular roadside glimpse of Mount Fuji to dissuade hordes of tourists from taking selfies.
Jeju’s guide stresses the fine balance between encouraging tourism and defending local society, drawing attention to the importance of respecting local customs and regulations alongside appreciating the island’s natural beauty.
