(SPOT.ph) With the Filipino's obsession for everything Korean, from K-pop to K-drama, it doesn't come as a surprise that a lot of people were excited when South Korea announced that they're resuming visa-free entry to Gangwon Province and Jeju Island. Plus, flying direct to Yangyang International Airport (where Gangwon is) also gives you access to Seoul Metropolitan Area without having to worry about a tourist visa.
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Direct South Korea Flight from Clark International Airport
In case you're interested to go this hassle-free route, South Korean low-cost airline, Fly Gangwon, now flies direct from Clark International Airport to Yangyang International Airport (YNY) every Tuesday and Saturday. Additional flights are also expected every Monday and Thursday starting July 21. Departure from Clark is at 1:40 a.m. with travel time of four hours. Rates start at KRW 239,200 (roughly P10,143), based on Fly Gangwon's website.
Fly Gangwon’s maiden CRK-YNY flight 4V 216 was inaugurated on June 25 with the usual water salute fanfare. At the event, Kim Seung Hyun, CRK Station Manager for Fly Gangwon, shared how they are "excited to provide Philippine passengers, a chance of traveling to (South) Korea, without visa certification and entry permit."
"Today, we are hopeful that our passengers will enjoy the beautiful countryside of South Korea, as well as the bustling city of Seoul," added LIPAD CEO Bi Yong Chungunco.
The visa-free entry to Yangyang applies only to groups of five or more travelers from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia from June 1 to May 31, 2023. Travelers from Mongolia can also follow suit starting on October 1. Just make sure that the group tour is arranged through a designated travel agency.
CRK - YNY is the only Southeast Asian route of Fly Gangwon. It mainly flies within South Korea's other airports in Gimpo, Jeju, Daegu, and Yeosu.