Home / Lifestyle / Jeju Island Tourists Warned: Behave or Face Fines and Jail Time
Jeju Island Tourists Warned: Behave or Face Fines and Jail Time
21 Aug
Summary
- Jeju Island, South Korea's largest island, issues guidelines for tourist behavior
- Locals report issues like children defecating on streets, drunken antics, and dine-and-dashing
- Violations can result in misdemeanor imprisonment or fines up to $106
As of August 2025, Jeju Island, South Korea's largest island and a UNESCO World Heritage site, has taken action to address concerns from local residents about tourist behavior. The Jeju Police Agency has released a set of guidelines, available in English, Chinese, and Korean, outlining acceptable and unacceptable conduct for visitors.
The guidelines come in response to reports from locals of tourists allowing their children to defecate on the street, as well as incidents of drunken antics and dine-and-dashing. Jeju Police Agency chief Kim Su-young explained that the new information aims to "prevent misunderstandings due to language and cultural differences and improve foreigners' understanding of Korean culture and laws."
The guide lists various illegal offenses, including jaywalking, disorderly conduct, littering, and public urination/defecation. Trespassing, fare evasion, and smoking in no-smoking areas are also outlined as violations. Tourists who repeatedly break the rules can face fines of up to 200,000 Korean won, or around $106. First-time offenders will receive a warning.
South Korea has seen a significant increase in tourism in recent years, with the local economy receiving a 9.26 trillion won boost from foreign travelers in 2024. The new guidelines in Jeju are part of the country's efforts to manage the influx of visitors and ensure a positive experience for both tourists and locals.
