Jakarta, The Indonesia Post – The Indonesian Ambassador to South Korea Gandi Sulistiyanto said that he was intensifying discussions with the South Korean Ministry of Justice to pursue a visa-free policy for Indonesian citizens.
“One thing I want to emphasize to the South Korean government, and which I have discussed with high-ranking officials here, is how to provide visa-free for Indonesian citizens,” Gandi said at a press conference in Seoul, Friday, which was followed online.
He highlighted that Japan had implemented a visa-free policy for visiting Indonesia.
According to the Japanese Embassy website, Indonesian citizens with e-passports (electronic passports) can register at the Embassy office to obtain proof of visa-free registration in the form of a sticker, which is valid for up to three years from issue.
Gandi said that it was very important to increase tourism attractions in Indonesia, given the high number of South Korean tourists coming to Indonesia.
“It’s only a matter of time for South Korea to open a program that will attract more Indonesian tourists to spend their money in this country, not just the other way around,” he said.
He added that Garuda Indonesia now flies twice a week from Incheon to Bali. He said, according to reports he received, 90 percent of Garuda passengers from Incheon to Bali were South Koreans.
“I think most of the South Korean passengers are couples who want to honeymoon (in Bali),” he explained.
Also read: Kemenkumham: Foreigners can submit e-VoA 90 days before arriving in Indonesia
His party also asked South Korean airlines to fly to cities in Indonesia apart from Bali and Jakarta, but also to Bunaken, North Sulawesi, and Borobudur, Central Java.
“I also encourage South Korean airlines to fly to other destinations in Southeast Asia,” said Gandhi.
Previously, in May 2022, Director of Immigration Cooperation at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Heru Tjondro together with South Korean Immigration Attache (KIS) Park Jae Sung conducted an exploration of granting visa-free short visits to Indonesian citizens holding e-passports.
“As we know, this policy has already been implemented by the Japanese government,” said Heru. (mhn/bbs)
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