Under the new safety plans, a safety certification system will be introduced to recognize ‘safe’ lodgings in the form of incentives, with further plans for legislative reform to make safety standards stricter, the Jeju government said on Friday. (Image: Yonhap)
JEJU, March 2 (Korea Bizwire) — Government authorities from Jeju Island, one of South Korea’s most popular tourist destinations, have unveiled plans to further ensure safety for solo travelers staying at guesthouses on the island.
Under the new safety plans, a safety certification system will be introduced to recognize ‘safe’ lodgings in the form of incentives, with further plans for legislative reform to make safety standards stricter, the Jeju government said on Friday.
Reforms are set to be made to the Rearrangement of Agricultural and Fishing Villages Act to limit individuals with a criminal history of sexual offences from opening a guesthouse, while sex offenders will no longer be permitted to work at guesthouses, even as staff.
The new safety measures come after a murder at a local guesthouse earlier this month, in which a female guest was choked to death by a manager four days after arriving at the property.
As part of the 16-point plan, cooperation between the local government and the Jeju Provincial Police Agency will be strengthened, joint meetings on safety will be held between civic groups, and law enforcement will make a concerted effort to crack down on crimes.
Up to two meetings will be held every month to discuss safety measures, while more CCTV cameras will be set up around blind spots. Guesthouses will also receive subsidies to cover 50 percent of security camera expenses as part of the government’s efforts to ensure safety on the island.
Tourists will enjoy an extra sense of security with watch-type location trackers and Jeju Island’s mobile safety app, which can be rented and downloaded, while authorities are set to ramp up efforts to crack down on illegal food services and parties.
Government authorities from Jeju Island, one of South Korea’s most popular tourist destinations, have unveiled plans to further ensure safety for solo travelers staying at guesthouses on the island. (Image: Kobiz Media)
“In line with the growing culture of traveling alone among young people, we will pursue the comprehensive safety plans as planned, with the help of police and the public,” Jeon Sung-tae, a senior Jeju government official said.
“To live up to the island’s reputation as an internationally-renowned tourism attraction, we’ll deliver on the slogan ‘Jeju, where traveling is safe’,” Jeon added.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
