Myanmar to allow visa-free entry for Korean tourists from October
Bagan in Myanmar / Korea Times file
By Jung Min-ho
Myanmar will start granting visa-free entry to Korean tourists in October as part of efforts to invigorate the tourism industry.
According to reports from local media early this month, tourists from Korea and Japan will be able to stay in the country for up to 28 days without a visa once the new rules come into force on Oct. 1.
The Myanmar government said it will be a one-year trial policy.
But tourists from the two countries will be required to show that they are carrying $1,000 in cash on arrival.
The Southeast Asian country is home to many tourist attractions and considers tourism a key source of foreign currency.
But the number of European travelers dwindled in recent years following international criticism of the military crackdown on the Rohingya Muslims in retaliation for an insurgent attack.
Currently, Myanmar does not require tourist visas for people from only eight countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.