Foreign visitors who misbehave on Jeju Island, often called the “Hawaii of South Korea”, could face fines or even jail time under new rules.
Authorities have distributed 8,000 copies of a guide outlining minor offences for tourists, reported CNN. The guide is available in Korean, English, and Chinese, and is intended to “prevent misunderstandings due to language and cultural differences and improve foreigners' understanding of Korean culture and laws,” said Jeju Police Agency chief Kim Su-young.
Offences include smoking in non-designated areas, littering, jaywalking, public drunkenness, environmental damage, using a fake ID, running away from restaurants without paying, and breaking into empty houses. Fines range from 20,000 won (US$14.36) to 80,000 won (US$57.43), with repeat offenders potentially fined up to 200,000 won. Breaking the rules may also lead to imprisonment for a misdemeanor, according to The Independent.
The crackdown follows a surge in foreign visitors, which reached 1.9 million in 2024, nearly four times the number since the end of the Covid pandemic, according to the Jeju Tourism Association.
Locals have raised concerns over unruly tourists, with incidents such as a foreign tourist smoking on a bus and a child defecating on a sidewalk going viral online. In response, netizens have called for tougher penalties, with one commenting: “Deport and fine that person right now. If they don't pay the fine, ban them from buying a flight ticket.”