Joo Jinwoo Urges Withdrawal of China Visa-Free Policy: "Unprotected Against Illegal Stays and Espionage, Absurd Reverse Discrimination"

Withdrawal of Previous Support for 'Cruise-Limited Pilot Project'
Calls for a Complete Review from Scratch

Joo Jinwoo, People Power Party member. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Joo Jinwoo, a member of the People Power Party, has intensified his criticism of the full visa-free policy for Chinese tourists. He insists that the full visa-free policy for Chinese nationals, which lacks concrete countermeasures against illegal stay, espionage, crime, and disorder, should be immediately withdrawn.

On October 9, Joo Jinwoo stated on his social media, "I will reveal the loopholes in the Lee Jaemyung administration's full visa-free policy for Chinese tourists," and expressed his concerns accordingly.

He first pointed out that if there are three or more people, they are considered a group and can receive a 15-day visa-free benefit, but he argued that classifying three people as a group is inappropriate. Joo Jinwoo said, "If a Chinese travel agency recruits just three or more Chinese nationals, they can travel anywhere in the country visa-free for 15 days. Can three people really be considered group tourists? This leaves us completely exposed to planned illegal stays and espionage activities."

Joo Jinwoo, People Power Party member. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

He also noted that while domestic travel agencies are required to submit group tourist lists to the government, Chinese travel agencies have no such obligation. Joo Jinwoo described this as "an absurd reverse discrimination," adding, "Isn't it even harder to verify Chinese travel agencies? If we do not receive group tourist lists in advance, there is no way to screen out high-risk individuals such as those with prior records of illegal stay."

Previously, Joo Jinwoo refuted what he called "false claims" by Baek Seunga, who argued that visa-free entry for Chinese nationals was the work of himself, former President Yoon Sukyeol, and Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, by sharing her post and disputing her assertions.

Joo Jinwoo reaffirmed his clear opposition, stating, "The president is a position subject to criticism, and if you dislike it, you should step down." He also mentioned that he is withdrawing his previous support for the "cruise-only pilot project," and strongly urged, "The Lee Jaemyung administration should withdraw the full visa-free policy for Chinese tourists and review it from scratch."