{
  "id": 9274577,
  "title": "Petition calling for end to visa-free entry for Chinese tops 90,000 signatures",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/petition-calling-for-end-to-visa-free-entry-for-chinese-tops-90-000",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T05:17:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/law-crime/20260923/petition-calling-for-end-to-visa-free-entry-for-chinese-tops-90000-signatures"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A petition seeking an end to visa-free entry for Chinese nationals and stricter screening for all non-citizens has accumulated over 90,000 signatures. The online petition, published on the National Assembly website on August 31, has now been forwarded to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee following the attainment of the 50,000-signature requirement for parliamentary consideration. As of Wednesday, the petition had collected a total of 92,000 signatures. The petition advocates for the discontinuation of visa-free access for Chinese nationals. This issue has brought attention to Jeju's distinct visa waiver program, which has been operational since 2002. The petitioner emphasized that while promoting tourism and reaping economic benefits are significant, they should not supersede the well-being and safety of the public. \"If visa-free entry is allowed, measures must be taken to avert gaps that could hinder the proper verification of visitors' identities and the assessment of potential criminal risks before they enter the country,\" the petitioner stated. The petition also urges authorities to strengthen entry screening for all foreign citizens.",
  "summary": "A petition calling for an end to visa-free entry for Chinese nationals and tighter screening for all noncitizens has garnered more than 90,000 signatures. The petition, posted on the National Assembly website on Aug. 31, has now been referred to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee after surpassing the 50,000-signature threshold required for parliamentary review. As of Wednesday, it had…",
  "key_points": [
    "Petition for ending visa-free entry for Chinese has gathered 92,000 signatures",
    "Petition forwarded to Legislation and Judiciary Committee for parliamentary review",
    "Concerns raised about Jeju's visa waiver program's safety measures"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The petition's large following signals a shift in public priorities, putting safety and well-being above economic benefits from tourism, and prompting lawmakers to reconsider visa-free entry for Chinese nationals.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Petition calling for end to visa-free entry for Chinese tops 90,000 signatures",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/petition-calling-for-end-to-visa-free-entry-for-chinese-tops-90-000-9277477",
        "published": "2026-09-23T05:32:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}