China reduces cruise ships bound for Busan and Jeju

Chinese cruise ships bound for Korea are being hit by conflicts between Korea and China regarding the deployment of THAAD on the Korean Peninsula. Applications to cancel cruise ship operations have increased sharply during the past month departing China and heading to Japan and Korea.

According to Jeju Island and Busan City on Tuesday, cruise ships applications for entry to Busan Port declined to 229 times as of the end of January, down 32 times from 261 measured at the end of last year. Cruise ships applying to come into Jeju Port also declined 26 times from 730 to 704 times. Most passengers aboard on international cruise ships bound for Jeju and Busan are Chinese tourists.

A Busan Port Authority source said that it is unprecedented for cruise ships due coming into the port to decline by more than 30 times. "Chinese authorities have previously banned Chinese budget airplanes from heading to Korea in January and February, making some ship owners operating cruises bound for Korea to be hesitant," a source from Beijing said.

Ja-Ryong Koo bonhong@donga.com