Visa-free entry to Korea for Filipinos, but …

Philippine passports (Photo from DFA website)

Filipinos can visit South Korea without visa until April next year if they enter through the airport near the venue of the Winter Olympics, state-run Yonhap news agency said.

The South Korean government has also provided Indonesia and Vietnam visa-free privileges to visitors if they enter the country through the YangYang airport near Pyeongchang, which is hosting the games.

There are no direct commercial flights from the Philippines to YangYang Airport: Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines only have trips to Busan and Incheon.

The South Korean government has also waived the $15 per person visa fee for Chinese tourists up until the end of 2018, Yonhap said.

Last year, nearly 8 million Chinese people came to South Korea, with their visits generating growth in the retail and food sector, the agency reported.

The move is seen to maximize tourism opportunities brought about by the Winter Olympics, which is held every four years. /cbb