Check-in counters for flights to China are crowded at Incheon Internaional Airport, Nov. 8, when China's visa-free policy for Korean tourists took effect. Yonhap

China's foreign ministry said Friday that it will extend visa-free travel for Korean arrivals from the current 15 days to 30 days.

The new visa-exemption policy will be effective starting Nov. 30 and remain in place through the end of next year, the ministry said.

Under the updated visa-exemption policy, Korean travelers can visit China for up to 30 days without a visa for purposes such as business, tourism, family visits or cultural exchanges.

The policy, which had been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, will newly apply to nine countries, including Japan.

The expanded visa-free entry period will be extended not only to the newly added nine countries but also to the 38 nations that were already eligible, including Korea. (Yonhap)