Acquiring a Korean driver’s license has become a new phenomenon among an increasing number of Chinese tourists here in recent years, a lawmaker‘s report showed Monday.

According to Rep. Han Sun-kyo of the Saenuri Party, the number of Chinese nationals obtaining Korean driver’s licenses surged to about 4,700 last year, jumping by 30-fold in two years.

The rate of car accidents involving foreigners also rose by 2.6 times to nearly 2,000, the report said. 

The surge was especially noticeable on Jejudo Island, where over 1,100 Chinese obtained driver’s licenses in the first half of this year. In 2012, only two Chinese nationals acquired a license there.

In the meantime, car accidents involving foreigners also increased in Jeju from six to 40 cases between 2012 and last year.

“Over 40 percent of last year’s accidents involved Chinese visitors,” Jeju police agency said.

The quick and simple process of obtaining a driver’s license in Korea contributed to the surge in numbers, officials said.

As the Korean driver’s license rules were eased in 2011, would-be drivers are able to obtain the license in 4-5 days by taking 10 hours of classes and passing a set of driving tests. The cost is also relatively cheap at around 500,000 won ($420).

The Korean driver’s license is as valid as Chinese ones as long as the drivers pass a simple written test back in China.

In China, on the other hand, getting a driver’s license takes at least several months, with the cost ranging from 5,000 yuan ($790) to 10,000 yuan.

Han pointed out that the lax regulations on driver’s licenses should be strengthened in order to prevent misuse and tighten road security.

The visa-free entry policy for Chinese sightseers to Jejudo Island from 2008 has likely affected the number increase as well, the authorities said.

Acknowledging the easy access of Korean driver’s licenses, some Korean driving academies have offered driving lessons and courses in Chinese for the tourists. Some have even hired Chinese interpreters to better draw Chinese customers.

As more Chinese nationals opted to acquire Korean licenses, Beijing has also taken issue, citing safety concerns.

The Chinese government asked Seoul late last year to impose restrictions on Chinese visitors seeking driver’s licenses. The Korean police, however, reportedly replied that there was no legal basis to do so.

In June, Shanghai discretionally suspended accepting Korean driver’s licenses for short-stay visitors.

By Lee Hyun-jeong (rene@heraldcorp.com)