Sachin Awasthi (File photo)
NEW DELHI: The Indian Embassy in Seoul on Tuesday issued an advisory urging Indian nationals to exercise caution while traveling to Jeju Island, South Korea, following the detention of content creator Sachin Awasthi.In its advisory, the Embassy highlighted that from time to time, it receives reports of inconveniences faced by Indian travellers, including denial of entry or repatriation upon arrival in Jeju Island under the visa waiver scheme. To minimize such situations, Indian nationals are advised to carefully note the entry requirements and precautions before traveling.The Embassy emphasized that entry under the Jeju visa-free facility is strictly for short-term tourism. “Final admission into the Republic of Korea is determined solely by the immigration authorities at Jeju International Airport in accordance with Korean law. The visa waiver scheme does not guarantee entry,” it said.Travelers are required to carry mandatory documents including confirmed return air tickets, hotel reservations covering the entire stay, detailed day-wise travel itinerary, proof of sufficient funds, a passport valid for at least six months, travel insurance and accommodation contact details. The advisory warned that passengers unable to clearly explain their travel plan could be at risk of entry denial.The Embassy also highlighted the importance of financial preparedness, stating that “travelers should be able to demonstrate adequate financial capacity for the duration of stay including for daily expenses, accommodation payment and transport arrangements.” Immigration officers may conduct interviews upon arrival and travelers are advised to respond truthfully and consistently while remaining calm.Indian nationals are reminded that the Jeju visa waiver does not permit travel to mainland Korea, and attempting to leave Jeju without a visa is illegal. Overstays or unauthorized activity could lead to future travel bans. If entry is refused, the passenger will be returned on the next available flight and temporary stay in a holding facility may be required.The advisory comes in the wake of Sachin Awasthi’s detention for 38 hours at Jeju Island. Awasthi, along with his wife, was denied entry, kept in a detention center and forced to book an expensive return ticket. “I am not sharing this for sympathy or drama. Immigration decisions are their authority. But they did not have any right to treat us like criminals,” he said.Jeju Island is one of the three self-governing provinces of South Korea with a special visa-free entry program for foreigners. Indian travelers can enter without a visa only if arriving directly from a foreign country, as entry via mainland South Korea requires a visa.
