The duty free area at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport is crowded with travelers, Feb. 14. Yonhap

The number of Korean travelers to China surged 60 percent in recent months following Beijing's decision to grant visa-free entry to Korean nationals in November, according to government data released Monday.

Data provided to Rep. Park Eun-jeong of the Rebuilding Korea Party by the Ministry of Justice showed that 647,901 Koreans traveled to China between November 2024 and January this year, up 60.6 percent from the same period a year earlier.

During the Lunar New Year holiday, which ran for six days starting Jan. 25, more than 100,000 Koreans traveled to China.

According to Incheon International Airport, a total of 138,196 passengers boarded flights bound for China between Jan. 24 and Feb. 2, making it the second most popular travel destination through Incheon airport after Japan during that period.

China's growing appeal among Korean travelers is largely attributed to its visa waiver for short-term visitors — the first such policy since the two nations established diplomatic ties in 1992.

Under the policy, which took effect on Nov. 8, Korean nationals can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days for tourism, business, family visits and transit. The visa waiver will be in place until the end of 2025.

This visa waiver policy was a major draw for Korean travelers, who, before the policy change, had to obtain a Chinese visa that cost around 100,000 won ($70). The visa issuance required a lengthy application process, leading many Koreans to rely on travel agencies for assistance.

This photo shows the entrance to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Jung District, central Seoul, Nov. 7. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-bin

The surge in travel to China among Koreans stands in stark contrast to the growing anti-China sentiment, especially within conservative political circles, amid Korea's impeachment crisis.

President Yoon Suk Yeol's controversial comments about China made during his impeachment trials, where he accused China of attempting to influence Korea's elections and sway public opinion, have contributed to rising hostility toward Beijing among his supporters.

Some protesters gathered near the Chinese Embassy in central Seoul, chanting slogans such as "Xi Jinping out." A man in his 40s is currently under police investigation for breaking into the embassy compound, saying he was attempting to deliver an "anti-China message."

Yoon's supporters, including several conservative politicians, also spread an unverified claim that some officials at the Constitutional Court are of Chinese heritage, which they alleged could lead to a biased ruling on the president's impeachment.

Chinese authorities reportedly delivered concerns to the Korean government through diplomatic channels about certain political narratives affecting bilateral ties.

However, Beijing's foreign ministry has somewhat refrained from addressing the issue publicly, a departure from its previous "wolf warrior" diplomacy, which was often characterized by combative rhetoric.

Diplomatic circles suggest that Beijing is taking a cautious approach to avoid straining relations with Korea, as Chinese President Xi Jinping is considering a visit to Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November.

Amid these developments, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in the trilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of Korea, China and Japan, reportedly set for March 21 to 23 in Tokyo.