Chinese tourists have been avoiding Seoul after Chinese authorities ordered travel agencies to stop offering packages to Korean destinations on 15 March . The restrictions come after South Korea agreed to the deployment of the US National High Altitude Nuclear Defense system , designed to deter North Korea 's nuclear ambitions . But whether individual Chinese tourists would come remains uncertain, and shop owners are well aware of such uncertainty. There are concerns that the ban will seriously impact Seoul 's tourism sector . Lotte Duty Free , South Korea 's top duty - free chain , earns some 70 % of its income from Chinese visitors . In an emergency meeting at Seoul City Hall on 7 March , tourism industry stakeholders discussed ways to increase the number of Japanese tourists to the city .
Chinese tourists have been avoiding Seoul after Chinese authorities ordered travel agencies to stop offering packages to Korean destinations on 15 March . The restrictions come after South Korea agreed to the deployment of the US National High Altitude Nuclear Defense system , designed to deter North Korea 's nuclear ambitions . There are concerns that the ban will seriously impact Seoul 's tourism sector . Lotte Duty Free , South Korea 's top duty - free chain , earns some 70 % of its income from Chinese visitors . In an emergency meeting at Seoul City Hall on 7 March , tourism industry stakeholders discussed ways to increase the number of Japanese tourists to the city .