The Ministry of Justice announced Thursday that from May 15 to July 15, Koreans traveling to Japan will be able to get a 30 day visa on entry and not have to pre-apply for one at the Japanese embassy in Seoul However visa are required for those going on business or staying longer than the 30 days. Currently, Japanese tourists visiting Korea are allowed to enter the country without a visa for 30 days.

In addition, a ‘pre-entrance inspection system’ will be temporarily operated where one receives entrance inspection beforehand at the departure point. Upon arrival, there is only a simple identity check before entering the country. For this system, both countries have each dispatched 14 immigration control inspectors to each other's ports.

Seoul and Tokyo are hoping this will reduce queues and long waits anticipated from the increased number of travelers during the World Cup period.

Kim Seung-bum, sbkim@chosun.com