SEOUL — People-to-people exchanges between South Korea and China in 2025 have continued to pick up pace, driven by visa-free policies, rising mobility and expanding cultural interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since China introduced the visa-free policy for South Korean citizens in November 2024, cross-border travel has increased notably. At Gimpo International Airport, China has once again become a popular destination for South Korean travelers, many opting for short-term visits to major Chinese cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to statistics from South Korea’s Ministry of Justice, bilateral personnel exchanges exceeded 7.28 million visits in the first 11 months of 2025, up 24.7 percent year-on-year, reflecting a strong recovery in mutual visits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Personal stories underscore this trend. Over the past year and a half, South Korean social media influencer Jang Su-seok has made more than 30 trips to China, visiting over 30 cities across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through images of everyday street life and candid encounters, he has documented not only China’s urban rhythms but also his own evolving views. “China is a country that makes you want to return once you’ve been there,” he said, adding that the sense of warmth he felt is drawing people closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The surge in exchanges is also clearly visible in the aviation sector. Korean Air’s 2025 year-end report indicated a marked rise in passenger numbers on China-bound routes, with flights to Shanghai, Beijing and Qingdao all recording substantial increases compared with the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Observers note that easier travels help broaden exchanges beyond tourism. Lee Jeung-eun, president of Chinese Bridge Club in Seoul, said the visa-free policy has encouraged more South Koreans to experience China firsthand, fostering a more direct and practical understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Analysts agree that the steady growth of people-to-people exchanges is reinforcing mutual familiarity and helping anchor China-South Korea relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exchanges among young people, along with tourism and cultural interaction, are becoming increasingly embedded in everyday life, helping to translate bilateral engagement into tangible connections, said Ryu Ji-won, director of the Institute for Korea-China Relations at Wonkwang University. <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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