"Work of Yoon Suk-yeol, Han Duck-soo, Choi Sangmok, and Joo Jinwoo"
"Not the work of Lee Jaemyung... The policy originated with the Yoon administration"
Lee Eonju, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out that the visa-free entry policy for Chinese nationals, which began on September 29, was "a policy first initiated by the People Power Party." She emphasized that, since the policy started during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, the current government should take a responsible stance.
On October 9, Lee Eonju stated on her social networking service (SNS), "It seems that the controversy over visa-free entry for Chinese nationals is making the holiday period quite noisy." She continued, "For the safety of our citizens and to maintain social order, entry and exit management must be strictly enforced for Chinese nationals as well as other foreigners, and relevant laws and regulations should be applied rigorously."
However, she also noted that the positive effects on domestic demand from attracting tourists and the economic growth driven by the development of the cultural tourism industry cannot be ignored. Therefore, she argued that the two objectives-protecting citizens through immigration control and achieving economic growth through open exchanges-should proceed in a balanced manner.
She further pointed out that the "visa-free policy for Chinese nationals" was not the work of the Lee Jaemyung administration, but rather originated with the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. Lee Eonju explained, "The policy began with Yoon Suk-yeol's directive on March 27, 2023, to devise comprehensive measures to boost domestic demand, which allowed for 'visa-free transit entry.' Subsequently, on December 26, 2024, Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo announced at the 9th National Tourism Strategy Meeting that the government would 'actively consider and then implement a pilot program for visa-free group tours from China.'"
She also mentioned that Assemblyman Joo Jinwoo had been proactive in this matter. Lee Eonju said, "On December 27, 2024, Assemblyman Joo boasted that he had incorporated the 'pilot program for visa-free Chinese cruise group tours' into government policy." She added, "Acting Prime Minister Choi Sangmok also announced at the Economic Livelihood Review Meeting on March 20, 2025, that the 'visa exemption for Chinese tourists would be implemented within the third quarter.'"
Lee Eonju asserted that the "visa exemption policy for Chinese nationals" was the work of "Yoon Suk-yeol, Han Duck-soo, Choi Sangmok, and Joo Jinwoo," and criticized, "They must take responsibility for the 'visa exemption for Chinese nationals' that they themselves approved. I hope they will not contradict themselves."
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