Jeju Becoming A Hub?

From what I have been reading the last year, when combined with anecdotal evidence, leads me to believe that Jeju is actually becoming a "Hub."

Now we've all seen the signs along the "Peace road," and elsewhere, proclaiming Jeju to be the "Hub" of this or the "Hub" of that. If you are like me, you usually read these signs with a smirk. I often find myself thinking, "Yeah, right, whatever."

However, there is one area where the facts on the ground overwhelmingly support Jeju earning the reputation as a "Hub."

What is it? Well, it seems Jeju can rightfully claim the title of:

"Hub of Illegal Chinese Immigration!"

From Chosun Ilbo I read the following the other day:

Chinese Cruise Passengers Go AWOL in Jeju

A large group of Chinese tourists who arrived in Jeju Island on a luxury cruise has disappeared.

According to the Jeju office of the Korea Immigration Service and police on Monday, the 44 Chinese passengers arrived at the resort island on the Italian cruise ship Costa Classica on Sunday morning. After a sightseeing tour on the island, the 30 men and 14 women failed to return to the vessel.

Eleven were found later in two different hotels on the island and sent to the immigration office, but the whereabouts of the remaining 33 are unknown.

"They apparently were trying to find jobs in Korea as they took all of their belongings from the ship except for their passports," an immigration official said. "We will deport the others as soon as we find them."

This isn't the first time Jeju has been used as a entry/transit point for Chinese engaged in illegal immigration to Korea. Actually, it is becoming quite common according to those in the government I have spoken with lately.

The Korea Times even ran an article about a surge in the number of Chinese abusing the visa waiver program.

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/01/117_79443.html

So Jeju, congrats. You may have joined the ranks of the true "Hubs" of the world.