Operation of 38 Automated Inspection Gates at Gangjeong and Jeju Ports
Enhanced Efficiency in Immigration and Boosted Tourism Competitiveness
Proposal for Establishment of Seogwipo Branch of the Immigration and Foreigners Office
Jeju Province held a commemorative event at Gangjeong Port Cruise Terminal on the 2nd and announced the full-scale operation of a total of 38 automated inspection gates at Jeju Port and Gangjeong Port. Provided by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
The first unmanned automated inspection gates in the country have been installed at the Jeju Cruise Terminal. As a result, the time required for immigration procedures for 5,000 people has been reduced from 150 minutes to 60 minutes, allowing tourists to spend more time in Jeju and boosting the local economy.
On December 2, Jeju Province held a commemorative event at the Gangjeong Port Cruise Terminal and announced the official operation of a total of 38 automated inspection gates at Jeju Port and Gangjeong Port.
In early November, 10 gates (7 for arrivals and 3 for departures) were first installed at Jeju Port for a pilot operation. Now, Gangjeong Port is equipped with 28 gates (21 for arrivals and 7 for departures).
The total project cost was 5.785 billion won, with 5.25 billion won provided by the Ministry of Justice and 535 million won from Jeju Province.
The Ministry of Justice expects that the introduction of automated inspection gates will reduce the time required for immigration procedures for 5,000 people from approximately 150 minutes to 60 minutes. Jeju Province anticipates that faster immigration procedures will give cruise tourists more time for sightseeing and shopping, which will benefit the local economy.
The event was attended by Jeju Governor Oh Younghun, Cha Yongho, Director General of the Immigration and Foreigners Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Justice, Jeong Jinwoo, Head of Jeju Customs, and Shin Jaegwi, Director of the National Jeju Quarantine Station, among others.
Governor Oh Younghun stated, "The introduction of unmanned automated inspection gates has established a core foundation for Jeju to become a hub for cruises in Asia," adding, "With the infrastructure now in place to efficiently accommodate large numbers of tourists, we will further promote cruise tourism."
In particular, Governor Oh proposed to the Ministry of Justice the establishment of a Seogwipo branch of the Immigration and Foreigners Office to systematically manage foreign residents in Seogwipo and to improve the efficiency of immigration procedures at Gangjeong Port.
Once the Seogwipo branch is established, the lengthy immigration procedures caused by insufficient staff will be improved, and foreign residents in Seogwipo will be able to handle administrative matters without having to travel to Jeju City.
Jeju Province has continuously improved convenience for cruise tourists by launching a Gangjeong Port bus route, installing smoking booths, introducing global ATMs, and providing Wi-Fi at tourist information centers. Moving forward, the province plans to further strengthen its cruise reception capabilities by introducing transportation options for those with mobility challenges and expanding baggage handling facilities.
As of December, cruise ships visiting Jeju have made 124 calls at Jeju Port with 200,000 passengers and 183 calls at Gangjeong Port with 540,000 passengers, totaling 307 calls and 740,000 passengers. By the end of the year, the total number of cruise tourists is expected to reach 760,000.
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