South KoreaWhat is the refund policy for travel cancelled due to?
In South Korea, travel agencies must refund full payments for trips cancelled due to government-issued COVID-19 travel restrictions or quarantine orders, with no penalty or cancellation fee.
What the Law Says
South Korean law requires travel agencies to provide full refunds when trips are cancelled due to official public health measures related to COVID-19. This obligation is grounded in the Tourism Promotion Act and its enforcement decree, which prioritize consumer protection during national emergencies.
Under the Tourism Promotion Act and its Enforcement Decree, travel agencies must fully refund consumers when a tour is cancelled due to 'force majeure events' — including infectious disease control measures issued by the Korean government.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued administrative guidance clarifying that government-imposed travel restrictions, entry bans, or mandatory quarantine requirements related to COVID-19 qualify as force majeure, triggering automatic full-refund obligations.
Refunds must be processed within 7 days of cancellation notification, and agencies may not impose any cancellation fees, penalties, or retain any portion of the payment.
Statutory TextWhere a travel agency cancels a package tour due to force majeure, it shall refund the entire amount paid by the traveler without delay.
— Enforcement Decree of the Tourism Promotion Act, Art. 34-2 — Refund Obligation for Cancellation Due to Force Majeure
Statutory TextForce majeure includes natural disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and other extraordinary events beyond the control of the travel agency, as officially recognized by competent authorities.
— Enforcement Decree of the Tourism Promotion Act, Art. 2 — Definition of Force Majeure
What to Do
Confirm your trip was cancelled due to an official Korean government measure (e.g., quarantine order, border closure, or K-ETA suspension notice).
Submit written cancellation request to your travel agency, citing Article 34-2 of the Enforcement Decree of the Tourism Promotion Act.
Request full refund within 7 days; if denied or delayed, file a complaint with the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) or the Korea Consumer Agency.
Keep copies of all communications, booking receipts, and official government announcements supporting the cancellation reason.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.