Chinese National Who Disappeared During 'Gyeongbokgung Tour' Apprehended at Hideout in Gyeongju

Two Still Missing After Entering via Incheon Port Last Month
Entry Granted Through Cruise Tourism Landing Permit System

Since the visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists was implemented on the 29th of last month, Gyeongbokgung Palace in Jongno-gu, Seoul, has been bustling with foreign tourists, including Chinese visitors. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

A Chinese national who disappeared after entering Korea via Incheon Port and participating in a group tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace has been apprehended in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. This marks the fourth out of six missing individuals whose whereabouts have been confirmed.

On the 23rd, the Special Immigration Investigation Unit of the Seoul Immigration Office announced that they had apprehended Chinese national A, who is under suspicion of violating the Immigration Control Act, and are currently investigating the circumstances of A's disappearance and whether a broker was involved. A entered Korea via Incheon Port on a cruise ship on the 29th of last month and left the group during a tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace. After separating from the group, A got off at Dongdaegu Station and traveled to Gyeongju.

A, who had been in hiding after realizing that immigration authorities were tracking him, reportedly turned himself in to an investigator who was staking out near Gyeongju after being persuaded by an acquaintance. This is the fourth out of six individuals who entered through Incheon Port and left the group without permission to have been apprehended.

Previously, on the 17th, the investigation team persuaded one of the missing Chinese tourists to voluntarily surrender. On the 20th, another individual was apprehended in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, and on the 21st, another was caught in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province.

These individuals entered Korea not through the visa-free entry program for Chinese group tourists, which has been in effect since the 29th of last month, but through the cruise tourism landing permit system, which allows for a visa-free stay of three days.

Ban Jaeyeol, Commissioner of the Seoul Immigration Office, stated, "If an individual turns themselves in, we plan to enforce compulsory deportation without criminal penalties. However, if apprehended while fleeing, we will proceed with prosecution as a general rule."