The Indian embassy in South Korea on Tuesday issued an advisory for those visiting the Jeju island as part of the visa waiver scheme, stating that the scheme does not permit travel to mainland Korea. This comes days afterIndian social media influencer Sachin Awasthialleged that he and his wife were detained and denied entry during a recent international trip to Jeju Island in South Korea for a holiday.
“Indian nationals planning to visit Jeju Island under the visa waiver scheme are hereby advised to carefully note the following: Entry under the Jeju visa free facility is permitted 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," the embassy said.
Also Read:Influencer Sachin Awasthi Says He Was Treated ‘Like Criminal’ During 38-Hour Detention In South Korea
It further stated that attempting to leave Jeju for mainland Korea without a visa is illegal. “Overstay or unauthorized activity may result in future travel bans. If entry is refused, the passenger will be returned on the next available flight of the same airline. Under that situation, depending on flight schedules, temporary stay in a holding facility may be required."
This comes days after social media influencer Sachin Awasthi alleged that he and his wife were detained and denied entry during a recent international trip, describing the experience as distressing and mentally exhausting. Awasthi shared details of the incident through a series of posts on Instagram, stating that the couple was held for nearly 38 hours in South Korea and during transit through China.
He said that soon after arrival, they were refused entry and taken to a holding facility. Awasthi claimed that officials did not provide a clear explanation for the decision. Describing the conditions, he stated that the space felt like confinement. “It was similar to a jail with no sunlight & no access to outside," he wrote.
The influencer further alleged that they were pressured into purchasing an expensive return ticket. During their transit through China, he said, the couple faced additional restrictions. He claimed they were not allowed to use their phones freely and were given minimal food and water.
In his vlog, Awasthi claimed the Indian Embassy in South Korea did not assist them. According to him, they should have intervened in this matter and helped them out.
In the advisory issued on Tuesday, the embassy said: “The Embassy of India, Seoul is not in a position to overturn the decisions of the RoK immigration authority in matters relating to entry into RoK. It will seek RoK authorities’ assistance in providing reasonable support to Indian nationals in the holding facility."
Source: World News in news18.com, World Latest News, World News
