The Ministry of Justice on Dec. 11 announced the extension of the temporary exemption period for the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization, aka K-ETA, to Dec. 31 next year for nationals of the relevant countries. Shown is a foreign couple clad in Hanbok (traditional clothing) on Nov. 27 posing for photos at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. (Lee Jun Young)

By Lee Dasom

The temporary exemption period for the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA), which applies to visitors from select countries like the U.S., U.K. and Japan, has been extended through the end of next year.

On K-ETA's official website, the Ministry of Justice on Dec. 11 announced that it extended the K-ETA exemption period to Dec. 31 next year for the relevant countries to support the tourism promotional campaign Visit Korea Year 2023-24.

People from K-ETA-exempt countries can check if they qualify online if a pop-up message appears asking about their eligibility when applying for K-ETA.

The ministry said, "A national of an exempt country can still apply for K-ETA to receive the related benefits like no separate report of entry, but this incurs payment of the application fee."

K-ETA allows people from qualifying countries eligible for visa-free entry to get online preapproval for entering Korea. Launched in September 2021, the system covers 112 countries.

dlektha0319@korea.kr