South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun posts on X Photo: screenshot

Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing welcomed South Korea's temporary visa-free entry policy for Chinese group tourists in a post on social platform X on Wednesday. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun later reposted the message to express support.

Ambassador Dai Bing said on social media in both Chinese and Korean that the decision is good news for Chinese travelers visiting South Korea. China has unilaterally granted visa-free entry to South Korean citizens since November last year, and data shows that people-to-people exchanges between China and South Korea have grown rapidly since then.

"As close neighbors, frequent exchanges between the two peoples help enhance mutual understanding and deepen friendship," Dai said. 

Later, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun reposted the Chinese ambassador's message about South Korea's visa-free entry policy to express support.

"I am pleased to note today's decision to grant visa-free entry to group tourists from China, effective from September 29 this year through June 30 next year. I hope this will further encourage vibrant exchanges between the peoples of Korea and China," the South Korean foreign minister said.

Global Times