South Korea to Waive Visa Fees to Attract Tourists Amid MERS Outbreak

As South Korea struggles to recover from the MERS outbreak which has seen tourist numbers plummet, the country on Wednesday said it would waive visa fees for visitors from China and Southeast Asia.

The announcement came as the country reported no new cases for a fourth consecutive day in the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome which has infected 182 people, killing 33.

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The clinical study would progress on these two antibodies to see whether they can eventually be used to help humans infected with the MERS virus.

The justice ministry said visas which had been already issued would be extended for another three months as South Korea enters its peak tourist season of July and August.

"These measures are aimed to help boost the tourism industry, which has been affected by the MERS outbreak", it said in a statement.

The outbreak has dealt a serious blow to the tourist industry, with the southern resort island of Jeju suffering a 46% fall in Chinese visitors in June compared with last year.

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South Korea health ministry reported one more Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus death on Tuesday, raising the death toll to 33.

Vice tourism minister Kim Chong has warned the country's earnings could be slashed by up to $2.3 billion if the number of foreign travelers drops by 50%.

South Korea will waive tourist visa fees, worth $15, from July 6 through to September 30 for those traveling in groups.

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The woman and child, who live in the eastern region of Abu Dhabi, contracted the virus from a relative, who had the virus diagnosed last month.

They include tourists from China, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, the ministry said.

The validity of one-off visas issued between March 1 and June 30 would be automatically extended from three months to six months.

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Though the number of new patients has declined since mid-June, officials are cautious as they monitor developments at another hospital in eastern Seoul.

More than a million tourists have been issued these visas.

Chinese tourists traveling in groups with Japanese visas will also be allowed to enter South Korea visa-free for stays of up to 15 days, it said.

Source-AFP