During the 10th National Tourism Strategy Meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, the government announced that the temporary exemption of the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) system will be extended for one more year, now in place until December 2026.
Australian and New Zealand passport holders are among those exempted, making it simpler than ever to explore Korea.
Officials also confirmed plans for a new tourist pass in 2026, combining transport tickets with access to cultural and leisure attractions, as part of a broader strategy to attract 30 million international visitors by 2030.
Korea’s cultural appeal continues with Everland theme park in Yongin, which has launched the immersive K-Pop Demon Hunters zone.
Inspired by Netflix’s record-breaking film, the attraction lets visitors step directly into the story world with interactive games, K-pop dance challenges, themed food trucks and a subway-style merchandise shop offering 38 exclusive items.
Running through the end of the year, it offers fans a dynamic mix of gaming, music and storytelling, highlighting the global power of K-culture.
Meanwhile, the 2025 Welcome Daehakro Festival (September 27 – November 2) introduces Smart Theatre, allowing international visitors to enjoy real-time translations of performances through AI-powered subtitle glasses.
The festival features 47 productions – from non-verbal favourites like Painters and Jump to musicals, plays and traditional masked dance – along with free outdoor “Welcome Fringe” showcases and ticket discounts of up to 80 percent, making Korea’s vibrant performing arts scene more accessible than ever.
