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Jeju’s Natural and Cultural Wonders Globally Recognized

May 27, 2024

The island of Jejudo is sometimes called the “Hawaii of Korea” because of its amazing natural beauty, with gorgeous white sand beaches and stunning waterfalls. What really sets Jeju apart, however, are the three UNESCO designations that highlight the island’s diverse natural, geological and cultural heritage. Jeju was named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2002, a World Heritage Site in 2007 and a Global Geopark in 2010.  Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak Tuff C

Global promoters illuminate the vibrancy of Korean culture

The 2024 Korean Culture Content Creators Appointment C eremony ( Courtesy of the MCST ) This year, 2,641 people have been appointed as Korean cultural promoters who will share their perspectives about Korea on the international stage. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) held an appointment ceremony for this year’s class of Korean culture promoters on April 30, 2024.  Of those selected this year, 1,387 people from 93 countries were n

Exhibition throws limelight on Korean embroidery

The exhibition "Korean Embroidery in Modern Times" being held at the Deoksugung Gallery of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art , Korea ( Courtesy of the MMCA ) Korean embroidery is a traditional craft that uses needles and colorful threads to decorate fabrics. I t has developed unique and beautiful styles through exchanges with other East Asian countries o ver the course of 2,000 years. However, due to the delicate nature of the materials, few

Upcycled goods take Korea by storm

In this age of mass-produced clothing, it is not often that the clothes we wear go on to produce a meaningful story. One Korean social enterprise, however, is using discarded firefighting equipment to create fashion items that help wearers think of firefighters. In doing so, the company honors the service of firefighters while promoting sustainability by giving a second life to materials that would otherwise be thrown out. “Hero’s House Keyring” made fro

Korea turns to cloud seeding to prevent forest fires

KMA/NIMS ( Korea Meteorological Administration/National Institute of Meteorological Sciences) Atmospheric Research Aircraft (Courtesy of the K MA ) Korea has long looked to cloud seeding, a technology that generates rainfall, to combat fine dust from both domestic and foreign sources. Increasingly, however, the country has shifted its focus to using cloud seeding to combat wildfires and droughts caused by abnormal weather patterns. The Korea Meteorological Administrat

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K-Musical Marie Curie Makes its Debut in the UK

Jun 05, 2024

Enjoy Local 100 and the Korea City of Culture Expo in Chuncheon, the city by the lake

Jun 04, 2024

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Incheon Open Port Culture Night (인천개항장 문화유산 야행)

• Period: 2024.06.08~2024.06.09
• Region: Incheon

Busan International Dance Festival (부산국제무용제)

• Period: 2024.06.07~2024.06.09
• Region: Busan

Night of Light Show (나오라쇼)

• Period: 2024.04.20~2024.10.27
• Region: Gangwon-do

Magic Media Show Poli Pop (매직 미디어쇼 폴리팝(두들팝ver.2))

• Period: 2023.12.02~2024.12.31

First Garden Light Festival (퍼스트가든 빛축제 - 별빛이 흐르는 정원)

• Period: 2023.01.01~2024.12.31
• Region: Gyeonggi-do

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South Korea determined to become tourism powerhouse

SEOUL – South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is going all out to make the country another Asian tourism powerhouse and create a more enjoyable tourism environment for domestic holidaymakers.

In a press briefing in Seoul on Dec 8, Second Vice-Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jang Mi-ran expressed high hopes to turn South Korea into an appealing destination for both foreigners and locals, and exceed pre-pandemic visitor levels in 2024.

“I engaged in various tourism-related meetings with local governments, agencies and firms to gather perspectives from industry professionals, but there were not a lot of unique or special tourism products or festivals,” Ms Jang said in a briefing at the Seoul Government Complex in Jongno-gu, central Seoul.

“It is important to create tourism products that are appealing to locals and approved by them. We are recommending or introducing things if we like them first. I personally feel this applies to tourism as well,” the Vice-Minister told The Korea Herald.

Ms Jang said tourism major students who share their individual travel experiences on various social media platforms can offer realistic suggestions and showcase the charms of their home towns, as well as areas of improvement. She added that she wanted to spend more time with such students to understand the local tourism landscape.

She also emphasised the importance of creating a safer tourism environment for global and domestic visitors.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is set to organise a public participatory inspection team to root out rip-offs and discriminatory pricing. A separate team will be launched to deal with such cases and assist visitors who file complaints.

The ministry has decided to increase the number of K-tourism roadshows – which are promotional events held overseas to showcase South Korea’s traditional and contemporary cultures – from 15 to 25 in 2024.

Chinese tourists will continue to be exempt from visa fees. This was temporarily applied to Chinese travellers from September to December, and will be extended to 2024. Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia will be included in the list of exempt countries.

According to Ms Jang, travel-friendly services – such as a foreigner-exclusive mobile app for train, bus and taxi services, and an English-language navigation app – will be made available in 2024.

To quench tourists’ thirst for Korean content-related events, beauty festivals, K-pop shows, food fairs, e-sports experiences and medical tourism packages, as well as meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions tourism packages, will be expanded as well.

“We hope to attract 20 million global visitors to Korea in 2024, and exceed the pre-pandemic number of foreign travellers from 2019. We will also make the utmost effort to collaborate with local governments and tourism-related firms to support mass tourism,” she said.

In 2022, South Korea welcomed approximately 3.2 million inbound visitors, according to the Korea Tourism Organisation. Just before the Covid-19 pandemic, the country had a record 17.5 million inbound tourists in 2019. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIAN NEWS NETWORK

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Source: Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), U.S. Department of Commerce National Travel & Tourism Office (USDOC, NTTO).

South Korea has been a growing market in terms of arrivals and export revenue for the United States. Koreans’ desire for international travel and the abundance of information sharing through mass media and social networking platforms, has been contributing to the growth of outbound tourism. Unfortunately, the year 2020-2021 has been a challenging period due to COVID-19. The advent of coronavirus pandemic brought forth an unprecedented crisis and the Korean travel industry has been severely impacted by international travel restrictions. In 2021, 1.22 million Koreans traveled internationally, a 95.7 percent decrease compared to 2019. In the same year, 202,711 Koreans traveled to the United States, a 91.2 percent decrease compared to pre-pandemic year 2019. However, Korea is internationally recognized for its successful handling of COVID-19, without the enforcement of total lockdowns, and the Korean market is set to become one of first rebounding markets and top inbound travel destinations for America following the pandemic. U.S. airlines resumed flights to U.S. destinations from July 2020 after a four-month flight suspension. As more countries re-open and lift restrictive measures, Koreans are preparing to travel overseas to those selected less-hit countries. Furthermore, domestic travel has resumed at a faster pace than international travel, due in part to displacement effects of travel restrictions and changes in Korean travel behavior seeking “safer” alternatives such as road trips and other outdoor activities. Airlines and travel agents are reporting a significant rebound in international travel bookings since spring 2022 following the Korean government’s removal of mandatory 7-day quarantine upon arrival which went into effect as of April 1. Recent industry surveys show that more than 85 percent of Korean are eager to plan a vacation in the next six months and overseas travel is the most anticipated activity.

Prior to COVID-19, Koreans’ international travel was rapidly growing and offered significant opportunities for U.S. tourism exports. The U.S. remained one of the top five destinations for Korean outbound travelers and was consistently the top non-Asian and long-haul destination.  Koreans overwhelmingly choose the U.S. as their travel destination of choice, primarily because of the diversity in tourism opportunities and unique experiences, not generally available in Asia, as well as for American-style shopping; fine dining; theme parks; cultural attractions in major U.S. cities; relatively inexpensive golf experiences; and the U.S. National Parks. On average, in 2019, a Korean visitor to the U.S. spent approximately 4,900 USD per trip. This number translated to over 11 billion USD in tourism revenue from Korean outbound travelers to the United States. However, the outbreak of global pandemic posed severe travel export revenue challenges during 2020-2021. In 2019, Korea was the sixth largest source of inbound travel to the U.S., behind Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Japan, and China.

Korean consumer confidence was gradually increasing across generations, but general travel confidence was hard hit by the health crisis. In the context of post pandemic era, rising discretionary spending on activities, gradual increases in vacation time, heightened globalization, and greater awareness of international developments outside the Korean Peninsula will resume and motivate more Koreans to travel overseas. Korea’s GDP per capita (PPP) rose to USD 45,220 in 2020 (according to the World Bank), placing it securely in the ranks of middle-income countries. Positive economic indicators, Korea’s addition to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (late 2008), and the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), which entered into force in March 2012, are helping spur even more leisure and business-related travel to the U.S. In 2019, nine percent of Korean travel to the U.S. is for business purposes. 

The recent boom of social commerce (social networks and websites that give product/service sellers access to a large pool of Korean consumers) is contributing to a growing trend, as it offers all types of travel products and unique experiences.  Following COVID-19, Korean travelers use social media platforms such as Kakao Talk, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, and other online platforms to search for travel information.  Korea is well-known for having one of the fastest internet networks in the world, and internet penetration reaches 98 percent.  Moreover, travel booking via mobile devices continues to expand for Korean consumers and is becoming a widely used method of travel planning.  Nine out of 10 Korean travelers own a smartphone, and roughly half of those users booked flights/hotels via smartphones in the past twelve months. The number of internet and smartphone users has reached 95 percent of the Korean population.  As a result, more Korean travel companies are focusing on app-based travel platforms and creating user friendly mobile applications, since the number of Korean travelers that are using online/mobile booking services is rapidly increasing.

Korean mass media is influenced by U.S. movies, advertising, and popular culture, and this influence continues to stimulate interest in U.S. travel destinations. South Koreans’ positive perception of overseas travel and the abundance of information-sharing through mass media and social media are expected to continue to boost the growth of outbound tourism is the coming years.  

Sub-Sector Best Prospects

• Free and independent travelers.
• Group package tours.
• Family vacation packages.
• Cultural tours and scenic/nature tour packages, especially designed for Korean travelers.
• Luxury packages catering to Korea’s single, professional women, traveling for leisure.
• National parks.
• Outdoor activities.
• Culinary tours.
• Educational travel.

Opportunities

Tourism has been one of the most directly affected sectors by the coronavirus pandemic in Korea.  However, the tourism industry has demonstrated significant resilience, and when it is safe to travel again, the pent-up travel demand will increase for outbound travel. Even during the pandemic, Korean travelers never stopped researching and planning overseas trips for the future.  As the travel and tourism industry prepares plans for a comprehensive recovery, and with the help of the vaccines and other mitigation efforts, travel restrictions have been gradually lifted, Korean market is expected to bounce back to pre-pandemic level.  New emerging trends such as health safety and hygienic travel conditions have become key factors for Koreans to select destinations and tourism activities.

The U.S. has been the leading non-Asian destination for Koreans as it offers a variety of activities, culinary tours, and cultural experiences.  U.S.-bound Koreans account for 8.0 percent of Korea’s outbound market and there is room for further growth. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Seattle followed by the New York-Washington, DC corridor, have been the most popular destinations. For outbound travel, Koreans use group package tours or travel individually to visit friends and relatives. Group tours can focus on price-competitive products that entice travel agencies in Korea to sell these products. Korean travelers are generally interested in the following activities in the U.S: visiting museums, national parks, amusement/theme parks, fashion outlets, golf courses, buying OTC pharmaceuticals/vitamins and U.S. cosmetics, and visiting unique local restaurants and wineries.

To tap into the Korean market, American travel and tourism entities should provide marketing collaterals on their destinations and attractions in the Korean language and cultivate long-term relationships with the travel trade industry in Korea. There are approximately 11,000 tour agents handling outbound travel packages in Korea. Having effective educational programs and digital marketing strategies on the U.S. are key factors in accessing and revitalizing the travel demand from the Korean market. 

For more details, please contact the U.S. Commercial Service in Korea. 

Trade Events

• Korea World Travel Fair (KOTFA). June 23-26, 2022.
• Seoul International Tourism Industry Fair. June 6-9, 2022.
• Busan International Travel Exhibition. October 13-16, 2022.
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U.S. Commercial Service Korea    U.S. Embassy Seoul 188 Sejong-daero, Jongro-gu Seoul 03141, Korea Tel: 82-2-397-4535 [email protected]

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South Korea's tourism industry - statistics & facts

Who travels to south korea, how did the south korean tourism industry respond to covid-19, how much money do tourists spend in south korea, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Number of visitor arrivals in South Korea 2000-2023

Foreign visitors in South Korea 2023, by nationality

Domestic outbound air passenger traffic South Korea 2022, by airport

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Leisure Travel

Reasons why tourists chose to visit South Korea in 2023

Tourism receipts in South Korea 2012-2022

Average expenditure per capita of tourists from South Korea 2013-2023

Further recommended statistics

• Premium Statistic Tourism receipts in South Korea 2012-2022
• Premium Statistic Tourism balance South Korea 1995-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of tourism-related establishments South Korea 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of visitor arrivals in South Korea 2000-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of visitors to South Korea 2023, by age group
• Premium Statistic Reasons why tourists chose to visit South Korea in 2023

Total tourism receipts in South Korea from 2012 to 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Tourism balance South Korea 1995-2023

Tourism balance in South Korea from 1995 to 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Number of tourism-related establishments South Korea 2016-2022

Number of establishments in the tourism industry in South Korea from 2016 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of inbound visitors to South Korea from 2000 to 2023 (in millions)

Number of visitors to South Korea 2023, by age group

Number of visitor arrivals to South Korea in 2023, by age group (in 1,000s)

Reasons why tourists chose to travel to South Korea in 2023

Economic impact

• Premium Statistic Absolute economic contribution of tourism in South Korea 2014-2029
• Premium Statistic Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in South Korea 2013-2028
• Premium Statistic Number travel agencies and reservation service establishments South Korea 2011-2020
• Premium Statistic Number of employees tourism sector South Korea 2012-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of employees tourism sector South Korea 2022, by business type

Absolute economic contribution of tourism in South Korea 2014-2029

Absolute economic contribution of tourism in South Korea from 2014 to 2029 (in million U.S. dollars)

Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in South Korea 2013-2028

Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in South Korea from 2013 to 2028

Number travel agencies and reservation service establishments South Korea 2011-2020

Number of travel agencies and other establishments offering reservation services in South Korea from 2011 to 2020 (in 1,000s)

Number of employees tourism sector South Korea 2012-2022

Number of people employed in the tourism sector in South Korea from 2012 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of employees tourism sector South Korea 2022, by business type

Number of people employed in the tourism sector in South Korea in 2022, by type of business (in 1,000s)

Lodging industry

• Premium Statistic Number of employees in hotels and similar establishments South Korea 2011-2020
• Premium Statistic Amount of stays in lodgings during domestic travel South Korea 2022, by type
• Premium Statistic Travel time period using domestic lodgings South Korea 2022
• Premium Statistic Share of accommodations used during domestic travel South Korea 2022, by province
• Premium Statistic Most preferred tourist lodgings information channels South Korea 2022

Number of employees in hotels and similar establishments South Korea 2011-2020

Number of people employed in hotels and similar establishments in South Korea from 2011 to 2020 (in 1,000s)

Amount of stays in lodgings during domestic travel South Korea 2022, by type

Total amount of stays in accommodations when traveling domestically in South Korea in 2022, by type of accommodation (in millions)

Travel time period using domestic lodgings South Korea 2022

Distribution of time used to travel domestically while using accommodations in South Korea in 2022

Share of accommodations used during domestic travel South Korea 2022, by province

Distribution of accommodations used during domestic travel in South Korea in 2022, by province

Most preferred tourist lodgings information channels South Korea 2022

Most preferred methods of finding information about tourist accommodations in South Korea in 2022

Travel expenses

• Premium Statistic Average expenditure per capita of tourists in South Korea 2012-2022
• Premium Statistic Average expenditure per capita of tourists from South Korea 2013-2023
• Premium Statistic Distribution of tourist spending South Korea 2022, by item
• Premium Statistic Average travel expense of tourists to South Korea in 2023, by origin
• Premium Statistic Average daily travel expense of tourists in groups to South Korea in 2023, by origin

Average expenditure per capita of tourists in South Korea 2012-2022

Average expenditure per capita of tourists in South Korea from 2012 to 2022 (in U.S. dollars)

Average expenditure per capita of tourists from South Korea from 2013 to 2023 (in U.S. dollars)

Distribution of tourist spending South Korea 2022, by item

Distribution of expenditure while traveling as a tourist in South Korea in 2022, by item

Average travel expense of tourists to South Korea in 2023, by origin

Average travel expense per person of visitors to South Korea in 2023, by origin (in U.S. dollars)

Average daily travel expense of tourists in groups to South Korea in 2023, by origin

Average travel expense per person per day when traveling in groups to South Korea in 2023, by origin (in U.S. dollars)

Ongoing impact of COVID-19

• Basic Statistic COVID-19: job loss in travel and tourism worldwide 2020-2022, by country
• Premium Statistic Share of people planning to travel abroad this year during COVID-19 South Korea 2022
• Premium Statistic Reasons for planning to travel abroad this year during COVID-19 South Korea 2022
• Premium Statistic Reasons for not traveling abroad this year during COVID-19 South Korea 2022
• Premium Statistic Regions to travel to this year during COVID-19 South Korea 2022

COVID-19: job loss in travel and tourism worldwide 2020-2022, by country

Number of travel and tourism jobs lost due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in selected countries worldwide from 2020 to 2022 (in million)

Share of people planning to travel abroad this year during COVID-19 South Korea 2022

Share of people who are planning to travel abroad this year despite the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in South Korea as of July 2022

Reasons for planning to travel abroad this year during COVID-19 South Korea 2022

Reasons for planning to travel abroad this year despite the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in South Korea as of July 2022

Reasons for not traveling abroad this year during COVID-19 South Korea 2022

Reasons for not planning on traveling abroad this year despite the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in South Korea as of July 2022

Regions to travel to this year during COVID-19 South Korea 2022

Regions people planned to travel to this year despite the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in South Korea as of July 2022

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Medical Tourism

South korea targets a surge in medical tourism to reach 700,000 by 2027.

With an ambitious vision, South Korea is looking to usher in 700,000 medical tourists by 2027. A twofold approach combining an overhaul in healthcare services with a dash of tourism is the linchpin of this strategy. The Ministry of Health and Welfare declared a string of initiatives on Monday, signifying the government's commitment towards this goal. The tactics include revamping immigration processes, promoting equitable healthcare services distribution, fortifying industry robustness, and enhancing international awareness. As part of its four-pronged strategy, the South Korean government intends to augment the count of healthcare facilities capable of e-visa applications on behalf of foreign patients from last year's 27 to at least 50. This step is instrumental in the broader ambition of welcoming 700,000 medical tourists. Tailored medical and tourism packages aimed at VIP and long-term patients are also on the cards, with marketing strategies leveraging the magnetic charm of Korean cultural phenomena like K-pop and popular television dramas. Additionally, the government aims to bolster and advertise cutting-edge medical programs such as transplants, cancer treatment, and the rich tradition of Korean herbal medicine. In 2022, South Korea played host to 248,000 medical tourists, a number that had halved due to the global pandemic. Moving forward, South Korea is eager to reinstate its transit visa exemptions for transit passengers, a feature that was temporarily shelved during the pandemic. On the horizon, the government plans to establish six innovative tourism hubs integrating medical treatments and local tourism attractions. These convergence clusters, planned in prominent cities like Incheon and Daegu, will provide comprehensive services to foreign patients and their companions. Furthermore, advanced technologies will be harnessed to expand remote medical services and post-treatment care for overseas medical tourists, supporting the government's push for legal, non-contact healthcare services. The Medical Tourism Association , launched South Korean’s medical tourism initiative in 2008 and has worked with the Korean government every year since. “Korea is a model for every government and healthcare cluster in the world to follow. When the MTA started working with Korea they had “zero” patients, what they have accomplished has been phenomenal.  This April 2023 we finished another marketing and business development initiative in hosting a large medical tourism “buyer” event for South Korea,” said Jonathan Edelheit, President of Medical Tourism Association.

To explore partnership opportunities with the Medical Tourism Association, and to learn more how the MTA can help you, please visit our website at https://www.globalhealthcareresources.com/medical-tourism-consulting .

Unveiling the Power of Social Media Marketing in Medical Tourism

Korea: turning the focus to an emerging global leader in medical tourism, exploring the surge of cosmetic tourism: trends and considerations in aesthetic procedures abroad, holistic healing: exploring integrative medicine and wellness retreats, meeting the surge: the growing demand for knee replacement surgeries and advances in the field, south korea, a medical tourism leader pioneering the future of medicine  , surgical solutions for obesity and weight management ~ a team effort, south korea ~ stepping into the spotlight in global healthcare, south africa ~ making great strides in healthcare, continue reading, best countries for stomach cancer treatment: a global perspective, ponderas academic hospital: elevating medical tourism with jci accreditation and personalized care, featured reading, guide to choosing korea for medical travel, transforming healthcare through innovation: ceo spotlight interview with matthew a. love, medical tourism magazine.

The Medical Tourism Magazine (MTM), known as the “voice” of the medical tourism industry, provides members and key industry experts with the opportunity to share important developments, initiatives, themes, topics and trends that make the medical tourism industry the booming market it is today.

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• Liberia Strengthens Diplomatic Ties at Korea-Africa Summit

Seoul, South Korea – In a significant diplomatic engagement, the President of the Republic of Liberia, Joseph Nyumah Boakai, along with key members of his government, are participating in productive dialogue in main events and on the sidelines of the Korea-Africa Summit.

President Boakai was joined by Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti and Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee.

Their participation in the Summit underscored Liberia's commitment to fostering strong international relations and exploring opportunities for collaboration with South Korea and other African nations.

The Korea-Africa Summit, held in Seoul, is a platform designed to enhance cooperation between South Korea and African countries across various sectors, including trade, technology, education, and infrastructure development. President Boakai's participation highlights Liberia's proactive stance in seeking global partnerships to drive national development and economic growth through the ARREST Agenda.

During discussions, President Boakai, Foreign Minister Nyanti, and Senator Dillon emphasized the importance of mutual cooperation and the potential benefits of a stronger Korea-Africa partnership.

According to a diplomatic source to the delegation, President Boakai, Foreign Minister Nyanti, and Senator Dillion, are exploring avenues for increased investment to Liberia, particularly in sectors such as renewable energy, technology, and agriculture, which are pivotal for sustainable development and poverty reduction.

The cordial and strong working relationship between President Boakai, Foreign Minister Nyanti, and Senator Dillon on foreign policy is yielding tangible diplomatic results. This synergy has significantly enhanced Liberia's ability to navigate complex international landscapes and secure beneficial agreements for the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under President Boakai's government, is gaining more respected ground in the foreign policy space, reflecting a renewed vigor and strategic approach to international diplomacy.

Foreign Minister Nyanti expressed optimism about the summit's outcomes, stating, "This is an excellent opportunity for Liberia to build on our existing relationships and create new ones that will bring tangible benefits to our people. Our discussions with South Korean officials have been very encouraging, and we look forward to seeing positive developments in the near future."

Senator Dillon, known for his dedication to enhancing Liberia's foreign relations, highlighted the importance of such international summits in addressing global challenges collaboratively. "The Korea-Africa Summit provides a unique platform for dialogue and partnership. By working together, we can address common issues such as climate change, economic development, and regional security," he noted.

The Liberian delegation's presence at the summit also reaffirms the country's dedication to playing an active role in international affairs and contributing to the collective efforts of the global community.

President Boakai's leadership and vision for Liberia's future were well received by the summit participants, and heads of State, reflecting a positive image of the nation on the international stage.

As Liberia continues to navigate the complexities of global diplomacy, the engagement at the Korea-Africa Summit marks a significant step towards achieving its foreign policy objectives and enhancing its bilateral and multilateral relations.

The outcomes of these discussions are expected to pave the way for greater cooperation, investment, and shared prosperity between Liberia and South Korea, as well as with other participating African countries.

Under the steadfast leadership of President Boakai, and with the dedicated efforts of Foreign Minister Nyanti and Senator Dillon, Liberia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is carving out a respected and influential role in the global arena, positioning the country as a key player in international diplomacy and development.

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Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs & Tourism

Capitol Hill 1000 Monrovia Liberia [email protected]

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Culture Ministry hosts events overseas to attract tourists to Korea

Woo Kwan, a Buddhist monk and chef, runs a temple food cooking tutorial during the Korea Culture & Tourism Festival 2023 in India, which ran from Friday to Sunday. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

“Your Korea Festival” in Germany ran from Friday to Sunday. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

Visitors make Korean hand fans during “Your Korea Festival” in Germany, which ran from Friday to Sunday. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

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World Bank and Government of Türkiye kickoff a $400 Million Project to Make the Country's Forests More Resilient

ANKARA, May 30, 2024— The Government of Türkiye and the World Bank launched the $400 million Türkiye Climate Resilient Forests Project to strengthen the country’s capacity to protect people and forests from wildfires.

Türkiye is vulnerable to floods, wildfires, storms, and landslides, some of which are frequent and are driven by climate change impacts. In 2021, Türkiye’s southern and western regions experienced the worst wildfires ever recorded in recent history. The area of coastal forestland scorched by the wildfires was eight times the size of average annual fires. The wildfires caused deaths and forced evacuations of hundreds of residents and tourists. They brought significant environmental, public health, economic, and environmental impacts affecting forests, communities, and many of the country's sectors like the timber industry, tourism, hunting, mining, beekeeping, and livestock.

The newly launched Türkiye Climate Resilient Forests Project will support the Government of Türkiye in strengthening wildfire management and resilience of forests and people against wildfires and the increasing risks of climate change in the country's 14 provinces that are the most at risk for wildfires. These provinces are home to about 20 million people, many of whom depend on forestland for their livelihoods.

" In the face of escalating wildfires that tragically claimed lives in 2021, Türkiye is proud to lead the charge in modernizing forest fire management. Our nation stands at the forefront, pioneering advanced technologies and holistic approaches to both prevent and suppress wildfires. The world looks to Türkiye as a beacon of innovation and resilience in safeguarding our forests and communities. As we embark on the Türkiye Climate Resilient Forests Project in partnership with the World Bank, we are taking decisive action to protect our precious forests and communities from the growing threats of megafires and climate change impacts. This project underscores our commitment to climate change and the health of our forests. Together with the World Bank and our stakeholders, we are charting a path towards a more climate-resilient future for Türkiye, ensuring the well-being of our people and the preservation of our invaluable forest ecosystems with the vision to emerge as a global leader in forest fire ” said Bekir Karacabey, Director General, General Directorate of Forestry (OGM) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye.

Based on comprehensive and state-of-the-art integrated fire management approaches to wildfire suppression and prevention and through strengthened wildfire response and resilient restoration of landscapes and livelihoods affected by wildfires, the project will help reduce the country’s vulnerability to climate change. Forests and landscapes restored and protected under the project will help conserve and enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services and reduce CO 2 emissions. More importantly, the project will protect and support the well-being and livelihoods of people in rural communities, including those located in the areas affected by last year's devastating earthquakes.

“Today marks a crucial step forward in our commitment to safeguarding communities and ecosystems. The Türkiye Climate Resilient Forests project underscores our dedication to proactive climate adaptation action and resilience-building. From conception to execution, our partnership with the Government of Türkiye, embodies unprecedented commitment and determination. We are proud to have launched this transformative initiative in record time, setting a new standard for proactively responding to climate change challenges ," noted  Humberto Lopez, World Bank Country Director for Türkiye . 

The World Bank is an important and reliable partner for Türkiye in its disaster risk management efforts to protect people against the impacts of climate change and natural disasters. The Türkiye Climate Resilient Forests Project is fully aligned with the Türkiye Country Partnership Framework for 2024-2028 , and the Country Climate and Development Report which highlight the importance of forests in the country's carbon balance. It also complements other World Bank projects currently underway. These include the $135 million Turkey Resilient Landscape Integration Project (TULIP), which promotes resilient landscape integration, and the $449 million Türkiye Earthquake, Floods and Wildfires Emergency Reconstruction Project , which supports reduction of wildfire hazards by promoting disaster and climate resilience at the municipal level.

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North Korea resumes sending trash balloons to South Korea

North Korea has resumed sending balloons carrying trash over the border to South Korea, officials and news reports said on Sunday, a week after it vowed to continue if anti-North Korea leaflets are flown from the South.