The Indian Embassy in Seoul has issued an advisory for Indian nationals traveling to Jeju Island in South Korea after a travel vlogger, Sachin Awasthihighlighted his ordeal on the island where he and his wife were detained, held in a prison-like facility and deported back to India.
In a statement, the embassy said that from time to time it becomes aware of Indian travelers being inconvenienced or denied entry/repatriation upon arrival at Jeju Island in the Republic of Korea (RoK) under the visa-free regime for travel to Jeju Island.
To minimize such possibilities, she advised Indian nationals planning to visit Jeju Island to carefully follow the guidelines issued by the embassy.
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According to the Indian Embassy, entry into Jeju’s visa-free system is only allowed for short-term tourism. Final admission to the Republic of Korea is decided solely by the immigration authorities at Jeju International Airport in accordance with Korean law. The visa-free system does not guarantee entry.
Indian nationals must carry mandatory documents – hard copies (not just mobile screenshots) of confirmed return tickets, hotel reservations covering the entire stay, detailed travel itinerary (day plan); proof of sufficient funds (recent bank statements / international cards / forex); passport valid for at least 6 months; travel insurance (strongly recommended); and accommodation contact details.
Travelers who are unable to clearly explain their travel plan may be at risk of being denied entry, the embassy said.
He further stated that travelers should be able to demonstrate adequate financial capacity for the duration of their stay, including daily expenses, payment for accommodation and provision of transport. Immigration authorities may ask related questions to which visitors would be expected to answer in accordance with the objectives of the tourism industry.
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Jeju’s visa waiver does not allow travel to mainland Korea. Trying to leave Jeju for mainland Korea without a visa is illegal, he added.
The Suffering of Sachin Awasthi on Jeju Island
Indian travel vlogger Sachin Awasthi, who recounted his nightmares after arriving on Jeju Island, claimed he and his wife were denied entry, kept overnight in a prison-style room, served high-glucose meals and finally expelled in December last year.
Awasthi called it the “worst 24 hours” of his life and claimed he and his partner were treated like criminals.
In a social media post on Instagram, Awasthi said he was “detained for 38 hours in South Korea (Jeju Island) and China.
“We landed on Jeju Island in South Korea excited and ready for our journey. Within hours everything changed. We were denied entry and taken to a holding area. No proper explanation, just wait.”
He further claimed that immigration officials released them without checking their pre-booked return flights or accommodation confirmations.
He also mentioned that there was zero transparency about the situation and they were forced to buy incredibly expensive return flights.
“The hours passed without clarity. They kept us in their detention center (it was like a prison with no sunlight and no access outside) and they also gave us food in the prison. No one told us what was going to happen. They blackmailed us to book a really expensive return flight,” Awasthi said.
Adding to their ordeal, during the connection via China, the pair were banned from using mobile phones at the Shanghai terminal, bathroom visits were only allowed under physical monitoring and resting conditions were appalling, the vlogger noted.
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“Later, during transit through China, it continued. More waiting. More surveillance. Communication was limited. No phone use and no food and limited water. Sleeping conditions were the worst,” Awasthi wrote.
“Even the use of the toilets was monitored by a police official who had a camera and went to the toilet with us.”
“By the time they told us we were going to be sent back, we were at rock bottom. The return ticket cost almost ten times the normal price. We didn’t have the energy to bargain at that point. We just wanted to get out safely.”
“Immigration decisions are their authority. But they had no right to treat us like CRIMINALS.”
“Travel looks glamorous online. But sometimes things change within hours and test you emotionally in ways you never expect,” he added.
About Jeju Island
Jeju is not just another place in South Korea. It is formally Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, a semi-independent territory with its own governing bodies separate from the mainland districts.
It operates as a self-governing province to preserve its distinct heritage and environment, foster fiscal growth through limited oversight, and nurture the identity of a “Free International City”, having been legally established on July 1, 2006. It was granted this status by the South Korean state to serve as a highly independent special administrative region.
