The secret is well and truly out about Jeju Island. Famed for its distinctive volcanic landscape, lush tea fields and sandy beaches, the ‘Hawaii of South Korea’ attracts millions of tourists each year. For context on just how popular it is, the flight path from Seoul to Jeju is the busiest in the world.
Sadly, though, some visitors are giving tourism a bad name. Travellers to the island have been witnessed exhibiting some of the most unsavoury behaviour, including public urination and defecation.
Printed guidelines handed out to tourists on Jeju Island
To prevent further indecency, Jeju police have now released guidelines reminding foreign visitors how to behave. If tourists don’t follow the rules, they’ll face fines or even jail time. Around 8,000 copies of the guides, available in Korean, English and Chinese, have been distributed throughout the island.
It aims to ‘prevent misunderstandings due to language and cultural differences and improve foreigners’ understanding of Korean culture and laws,’ according to Jeju Police Agency chief Kim Su-young.
Jaywalking and littering are among the misdemeanours
The guide outlines a number of misdemeanours, including smoking in non-designated areas, littering, jaywalking, being drunk and disorderly in public and damaging the environment. It shouldn’t really need saying, but there’s also a reminder not to run from restaurants without paying, carry a concealed weapon, use a fake ID or trespass.
First-time offenders will be handed a warning, with the fine to be paid depending on the severity of the offence. Recurring culprits could be fined up to 200,000 won (£106) – and breaking the rules is also ‘punishable by misdemeanour imprisonment’.
So, if you’re heading to Jeju Island soon, you’d better be on your best behaviour.
More overtourism news from around the world
South Korea is not the only country to have taken action against tourists. There have been mass protests in Barcelona and other European destinations over the rising number of foreign visitors, which is making housing unaffordable for locals in the city. Amsterdam has long been working on a campaign to crack down on rowdy tourists, including a weed ban in the Red Light District and a rather unorthodox online quiz.
Here’s a (by no means comprehensive) guide to the destinations that want visitors to stay away.
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