China eases visas for South Koreans despite K-pop limits

What happened South Korean nationals will soon be granted visa-free entry into China, according to an announcement made by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week. From November 8, South Korean nationals will be able to enter China visa-free for up to 15 days, for reasons including business, tourism, and family without additional paperwork. The changes take place under a trial that will run through the end of 2025, creating new opportunities for travel and potentially increased cultural exchange. This move follows China’s recent inclusion of South Korea among nine other nations including Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, for visa-free travel — a decision the Chinese government states will "further facilitate the exchange of personnel." The Jing Take China’s latest visa-free policy announcement marks a significant development in its diplomatic relationship with South Korea. This move could lead to a rise in South Korean tourism to China. South Korean travelers currently make up a significant share of tourists visiting China. In the third quarter of 2024, flights between China and South Korea returned to some 90% of pre-pandemic volume, according to data from Flight Master. Among the world's passports, the South Korean passport is currently ranked third in July this year, according to investment migration consultancy firm Henley and Partners, as nationals of the country may enter 191 countries without a visa. However, despite the eased entry restrictions for South Koreans visiting China, the two nations continue to navigate tense geopolitical relations. Since 2016, China has maintained a “soft ban” on Korean pop culture and media imports, such as K-pop, Korean films, and dramas when the deployment of the US’ Thaad missile defense system in South Korea strained the neighboring nations’ relationship. The longstanding restrictions on cultural imports from Korea has prohibited K-pop artists from performing live in mainland China and limited the broadcast of Korean dramas and movies. And while progress has been made, some limits have endured. In July, K-pop girl group Illit became one of the few K-pop acts to gain permission to perform in the country. The outfit, managed under parent entertainment firm Hybe, the same label behind popular K-pop groups like BTS, performed at the Tencent Music Entertainment Awards in Macau. As China opens its doors a bit wider to South Korean travelers, questions remain as to whether this new access will lead to new opportunities for cultural and business exchanges. The Jing Take reports on a piece of the leading news and presents our editorial team’s analysis of the key implications for the luxury industry. In the recurring column, we analyze everything from product drops and mergers to heated debate sprouting on Chinese social media.

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China eases visas for South Koreans despite K-pop limits