Jeju Island, often affectionately dubbed the “Hawaii of South Korea” for its dramatic volcanic landscapes and unique culture, is facing a growing challenge as its popularity soars in the post-pandemic era. In response to a spike in complaints from local residents regarding disorderly conduct, the island’s authorities have launched an unprecedented measure: the nation’s first-ever multilingual etiquette notice. This guide, available in Korean, English, and Chinese, is a proactive attempt to bridge cultural differences, educate foreign visitors on local laws, and curb a wide range of minor offenses—from public urination and littering to jaywalking and not paying restaurant bills. The initiative aims to maintain the delicate balance between a booming tourism industry and the quality of life for the island’s inhabitants, warning tourists that repeat violations could result in fines of up to 200,000 won (approximately $143).
A Response To The Surge In Misconduct
The introduction of the new multilingual guidelines is a direct response to a significant increase in reports of unruly tourist behaviour that has accompanied the post-pandemic surge in international arrivals. With foreign visitors returning to the visa-free island, local reports indicate a sharp rise in disorderly conduct cases.
Between March and June alone, the Jeju Provincial Police Agency recorded thousands of cases of minor violations. Residents have voiced mounting frustrations over incidents that include public indecency, such as urinating or defecating in public spaces, along with more common infractions like excessive littering and smoking in non-designated areas. The police guide serves as an educational tool, distributing 8,000 copies initially to ensure that tourists are informed of the standards of public order expected within the local community, emphasizing that these standards are not merely suggestions but are backed by South Korean law.
List Of Offences And Graduated Penalties
The new etiquette notice clearly outlines a range of minor offences that foreign visitors should avoid, providing explicit clarity on behaviours that are punishable under local law. This is a crucial step to eliminate the defence of ignorance due to cultural or language barriers.
Common misdemeanours listed in the guide include smoking in restricted areas, jaywalking, public drunkenness, and causing environmental damage. More serious infractions also covered include fleeing restaurants without paying, trespassing into empty or unoccupied houses, and using fake identification. For first-time offenders of petty violations, police officers, who now carry the notices during patrols, will typically issue a warning and the educational leaflet instead of immediate strict action. However, the system features a graduated penalty structure: minor violations can carry fines ranging from 20,000 to 80,000 won, and repeat offenders face the maximum fine of 200,000 won, demonstrating the authorities’ intent to impose tangible consequences for continued disrespect of local laws.
Bridging Cultural And Legal Gaps
A core objective of the multilingual guide is to prevent misunderstandings arising from the intersection of different cultural norms and strict Korean law. By printing the notices in Korean, English, and Chinese, the authorities are proactively engaging with the island’s most frequent international visitors.
Jeju Police Agency Chief Kim Su-young emphasized that the guide aims to “improve foreigners’ understanding of Korean culture and laws.” This educational approach acknowledges that many actions considered mere inconveniences in one’s home country can be classified as punishable misdemeanours in South Korea. By offering a warning and an explanation in the tourist’s native language before immediately imposing a fine, the police are attempting to reduce tension and friction during on-the-spot encounters, balancing the enforcement of public order with a desire to remain a welcoming destination.
The Broader Movement Against Overtourism
Jeju Island’s move reflects a broader, global trend among popular destinations struggling to manage the pressures of overtourism and its negative impact on the local populace and environment. The push for new behavioural guidelines is part of an international effort to prioritize sustainable and responsible travel.
Across Asia and Europe, cities and natural sites are increasingly implementing fines, restrictions, and public awareness campaigns to protect local communities and heritage. For instance, in Japan, some towns have resorted to installing physical barriers to block views of Mount Fuji to deter large, disruptive crowds of selfie-seekers. Jeju’s new guidelines follow similar moves and demonstrate that authorities are no longer willing to tolerate anti-social behaviour, viewing the protection of residents’ quality of life as paramount, even as tourism remains a vital part of the island’s economy. The local community has been a driving force behind this change, with even local elementary school students submitting proposals to the government urging better ways to deal with tourist misconduct.
Implications For Future Tourism
While the new guidelines introduce a stricter environment for foreign visitors, the long-term goal is to cultivate a higher quality of tourism that respects the island’s unique natural and cultural assets. Jeju Island is internationally renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the colossal Hallasan Mountain and the beautiful lava tube systems, making its preservation a global concern.
The immediate impact may be an increase in police patrols and a stricter interpretation of minor offenses, but the desired result is a more harmonious coexistence between locals and visitors. By clearly delineating acceptable behaviour, the island hopes to attract tourists who value cultural etiquette and environmental preservation. This strategic intervention is a bid to sustain Jeju’s tourism boom while protecting its identity, ensuring that the “Hawaii of South Korea” remains a desirable—and respectful—destination for years to come.
