According to recent data, over 35% of foreigners living in Korea without legal documents are Thai. As of late May, 145,810 Thais resided in Korea without proper visas or permits, making up 35.1% of the 415,230 undocumented foreign residents. This figure far surpasses those from other countries, including Vietnam (79,366), China (64,151), the Philippines (13,740), Indonesia (12,172), and Cambodia (10,681).
The surge in undocumented Thai residents comes amidst Korea’s stringent entry requirements, particularly the K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) system. This system is blamed for a sharp decline in Thai tourists this year. From January to April, Korea saw approximately 119,000 Thai visitors, a 21.1% decrease compared to the same period last year. This contrasts sharply with an overall increase in foreign visitors, despite Thailand being exempt from visa requirements.
The agency responsible for K-ETA application reviews has not disclosed the reasons for denying travel permits but insists that the criteria are uniformly applied across all countries. The restrictive entry regulations have led to dissatisfaction among Thai tourists, sparking a growing boycott movement.
In response, the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has requested the Ministry of Justice to temporarily exempt Thai nationals from the K-ETA requirement until the end of 2024. The tourism industry is striving to meet its goal of attracting 20 million foreign tourists this year. However, the Justice Ministry has expressed concerns about a potential rise in undocumented foreigners if such exemptions are granted, advocating for a “cautious approach.”
The controversy over K-ETA intensified last November, with the Ministry of Justice defending its system by citing that approximately 78% of Thai visitors were overstaying illegally, underscoring their “legitimate duty” to curb this trend.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand was one of Korea’s top tourist sources, alongside China, Japan, the US, and Taiwan. There are growing concerns that the number of Thai tourists may never recover to pre-pandemic levels, potentially straining the bilateral relationship between Korea and Thailand.
Justice Ministry officials refute claims that K-ETA is the primary cause of the decline in Thai tourists, stating that efforts are underway to enhance the system and make it more user-friendly for legitimate travelers.