Following the recent controversy over the "uncivilized" behavior of some Chinese tourists on Jeju Island, the police launched a basic order rectification campaign in the bustling neighborhoods of Jeju Island.
According to the "United News" and other reports, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the 25th, 11 Jeju police officers carried out a "basic order education and rectification for foreigners" activity in the Yeondong area, a bustling neighborhood in Jeju City. This activity is due to the recent controversy over the "uncivilized" behavior of some Chinese tourists on social media.
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Directly hit the scene of the police operation
Shortly after the police operation began, a 52-year-old Chinese tourist appeared panicked when he was arrested for illegally crossing the road.
After checking his passport, the police issued him a notice of fine.
Ten minutes later, at 7:35 p.m., a couple of Chinese tourists in their 20s were caught crossing the road illegally 50 meters from the zebra crossing.
Despite the uniformed police officers in sight, the couple walked leisurely across the road. After being arrested, they said that they "didn't expect that there would be problems with illegal crossings" and that "in China, the police will not fine illegal crossings" and scratched their heads in embarrassment.
They withdrew cash from the bank ATM next to it and paid the fine on the spot.
Another Chinese tourist felt aggrieved and even shed tears after being caught crossing illegally.
Since most of the foreign tourists coming to Jeju are Chinese, there have been successive arrests of Chinese tourists, and some people complain about "why only Chinese are arrested."
However, it was not just Chinese tourists who were caught violating the basic order that day. A South Korean woman in her 60s who crossed the road illegally at the moment when the police turned around was also punished by the police.
From the Samnook Park intersection in Jeju City to the Grand Hotel intersection in Jeju City, there are many shopping streets, duty-free shops, and hotels, and it is a place frequented by Chinese tourists. This section of the road is about 470 meters in total and has 13 zebra crossings. In particular, there are seven zebra crossings on the two-lane road between the shopping streets, but illegal crossing is still frequent.
A total of six people were fined for illegal crossing that night, including four Chinese and two Jeju residents.
There was also a foreign tourist caught throwing cigarette butts everywhere, and a resident riding a motorcycle without a helmet and a resident crossing the Chuo Line on a motorcycle were also punished.
"After talking to the foreigners who were arrested, we found that many of the cases were not malicious, but due to cultural differences," the police said. As long as the tour guide explains to foreign tourists in advance the basic order issues such as not crossing in violation of regulations, many situations can be changed. ”
The official also said, "We believe that other violations of the basic order may also occur due to cultural differences, so we plan to create a brochure for foreign tourists to publicize it." At the same time, we also call on the residents of the country to strive to abide by the basic order. ”
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Interpretation of official data
According to South Korea's tourism statistics, the number of Chinese tourists visiting South Korea in April this year was 411,331, an increase of 288% year-on-year. In addition, according to the Jeju Tourism Association, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Jeju from January to April this year was 424,585, a 2,052% year-on-year increase. In light of this trend, the Jeju government is actively attracting Chinese tourists.
As of June 21, a total of 353 cases of illegal road crossing were detected in Jeju, of which 248 were foreigners, accounting for about 70.3%. The collection rate of fines for illegal crossing of the road by foreigners was 90.7 per cent (225 out of 248 fines paid). From January to May this year, 264 foreigners were punished for minor crimes such as urinating and littering in Jeju.
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The image of Chinese tourists has plummeted?
Recently, an online community posted photos of piles of garbage in convenience stores after Chinese tourists visited, tables full of instant noodle containers with soup left in them, chopsticks stuck in them, and ice cream freezers littered with garbage, and garbage cans are full, despite signs on the walls that say "Please clean up after eating."
There is also a photo of a suspected Chinese tourist's child using the toilet on Jeju Street.
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How can I avoid fines?
In order to avoid being punished in South Korea and better integrate into the local living environment, compatriots need to pay attention to the following points in addition to the content mentioned in the article:
· Garbage sorting: South Korea has strict requirements for garbage sorting, so please sort garbage into recyclable and non-recyclable garbage and put it in the corresponding trash can.
· No spitting, no littering: offenders may be fined. Please dispose of garbage in the designated trash can.
· Don't make loud noises: Making loud noises in public places can cause discomfort to others, especially in restaurants, coffee shops, libraries, etc.
· Don't smoke in public places: Smoking in non-smoking areas is an offence and offenders will be fined. Please smoke in the designated smoking areas.
· Civilized dining: After eating in a restaurant, please tidy up the table and do not leave food scraps and garbage on the table.
· Don't drink alcohol in public: Drinking alcohol in public is prohibited in some places, so please follow the rules.
· Comply with the rules and regulations of the merchant: When making purchases at convenience stores, restaurants, and other business premises, please abide by the rules and regulations of the merchant, such as cleaning up the food by yourself and returning the tableware.