By Joung Haseung

The Ministry of Justice from next month will apply the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) on Jeju Island.

At a briefing for residents on the K-ETA, the ministry on Aug. 19 said it will introduce next month the online system of entry approval for foreign visitors on the island.

The authorization is available for visitors from 112 nations with which Korea has visa-free agreements with. Applicants simply need to input personal and travel information on the official website or mobile app and gain approval before departing for the country.

Though the K-ETA was implemented last year in September in other parts of the nation, the ministry declined to adopt it in Jeju considering the island's status as an international tourist city.

In June this year, however, officials announced the system's adoption in Jeju due to the rise in roundabout entries to the island over the yearlong K-ETA period.

In response to fears over the system from ordinary travelers, the ministry said, "Regular travelers will be automatically authorized within 30 minutes after an application for an entry request is made. If approved, immigration procedures will be simplified such as exemption from filling out immigration forms after arrival and going to screening stations."

"The K-ETA does not appear to deter the attraction of regular tourists."

jhaseung@korea.kr