Have just booked a ticket LHR - ICN - SYD with OZ for myself, wife and family, stopover in ICN both directions. When booking with the London call centre, OZ staff insisted that there are new rules for transit visas from May 1. For visitors on transit, who wish to exit the airport, then one must apply at a Korean embassy prior to departure for a "transit sticker visa" even if the passport holder is eligible for 90 day visa exemption for tourism. Operator claimed this was valid for both Australian and EU passports.

I cannot find anything remotely resembling the above described visa regime on the internet. HiKorea has a note that their english visa section will be updated May 31.

I have been in Korea a number of times without ever having to apply for a visa, although admittedly I have not had a transit-24hr layover since 2006. I think something is getting lost in translation.

Can anyone confirm?

Cheers.