Jeju's 'Ipdose' Push Sparks Strong Backlash... "Then Pay Yukjise"

Repeated Criticisms of High Prices and Overcharging

As news spread that Jeju Island is planning to introduce an 'entry tax' for tourists, netizens' backlash has intensified.

On the 16th, according to Jeju Island, the island announced plans to establish an entry tax under the name of an environmental conservation contribution fee (environmental conservation levy) for visitors, aimed at addressing environmental pollution.

[Image source=Pixabay]

As the news was reported through the media, netizens showed heated reactions across various online communities.

Netizens expressed cynical responses to the proposed entry tax, saying things like, "They are already overcharging, so why add an entry tax?", "Do you really think the environmental levy collected will be used for environmental preservation?", "Control the cost of living in Jeju first before talking," "Why should only Jeju Island charge an entry tax? It’s unfair," and "Even if introduced, shouldn’t domestic tourists be exempt?"

In particular, some argued that Jeju residents should also have to pay when traveling to the mainland. Comments such as "When will Jeju residents pay the mainland landing tax?", "The mainland tax should be charged based on area," and "Entry to Seoul costs 20,000 won" were posted one after another.

Some netizens even suggested boycotting travel to Jeju Island. They stated, "I won’t go even if there is no entry tax," "I’d rather go to Southeast Asia or Japan with the money I would spend on Jeju," "It’s cheaper to go to Southeast Asia even now," and "I went for domestic consumption despite the cost, but this is too much," strongly criticizing the entry tax.

Recently, with air routes opening and many tourists traveling abroad, there is a prevailing opinion that the outflow of tourists could actually have a negative impact on Jeju Island. Therefore, it is expected that there will be many hurdles to overcome before the entry tax can be introduced.

Jeju Island to impose an average of 8,000 won per person if 'entry tax' is introduced... "National consensus is necessary"

Jeju Governor Oh Young-hoon. [Photo by Yonhap News]

The Korean Local Finance Association, based on the feasibility study for the introduction of the Jeju Environmental Conservation Contribution Fee system, proposed a charge of 1,500 won per person for accommodation, 5,000 won per day for rental cars (10,000 won for vans, with a 50% discount for compact and electric vehicles), and 5% of the charter bus fare. Accordingly, the average charge per tourist is expected to be about 8,000 won.

On the 13th, Jeju Governor Oh Young-hoon said during a Jeju Provincial Council administrative inquiry, "(The introduction of the Jeju Environmental Conservation Contribution Fee) is only possible when there is national consensus, so we are approaching it cautiously by planning and strategizing thoroughly," adding, "It’s not all optimistic; we need to consider the movements of central government ministries, some members of the National Assembly, the industrial economy sector, and the media. The process will not be simple."

Additionally, Democratic Party lawmaker Wi Seong-gon (Seogwipo City) proposed the 'Jeju Special Act Amendment' and the 'Basic Act on Levy Management Amendment' in December last year to introduce the Jeju Environmental Conservation Contribution Fee, but the bills are currently pending due to regional fairness issues.