An Increasing number of Chinese tourists to South Korea's Jeju Island are being turned away and flown home, say airport immigration police.

Up to 257 people have been refused entry to the island since February, when Chinese tourists were allowed visa-free entry to Jeju.

The new policy has attracted more Chinese tourists, but immigration authorities in South Korea have been strictly supervising travelers.

In the 14 months before February, 13 Chinese were repatriated to Pudong International Airport by South Korean authorities who suspected their reason for visiting was "not in line with a tourist visit," said airport immigration police.

In the four months since February, up to 257 Chinese were turned back from the island.

On April 12, a record 44 Chinese travelers were repatriated from Jeju Island, said immigration police.

After questioning, local police found some travelers had intended to overstay their trip and work in South Korea, but other passengers might have been innocent, they said.

Reasons for repatriation included not having bookings at a local hotel, failing to carry enough funds and being dressed badly, they said.

Pudong immigration authority advised Chinese travelers to use professional travel agencies, book hotels in advance, and understand immigration rules before setting off to avoid trouble.

(Shanghai Daily June 16, 2008)