South Korea's President Emphasizes Tourism Market Revitalization

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung recently attended the National Tourism Strategy Meeting, highlighting the importance of revitalizing the local tourism market. According to RTHK, he called for addressing issues such as overcharging tourists and emphasized the need to shift from focusing on tourist numbers to enhancing the quality of tourist experiences. He also suggested strategies to distribute tourists from the capital, Seoul, to other regions, aiming to benefit small businesses nationwide. Analysts note that the meeting's elevation from the usual prime ministerial level to the presidential level reflects the structural challenges facing South Korea's tourism industry. This move signals the Lee administration's ongoing emphasis on the sector's significance. A key focus of the reform is attracting and retaining high-spending international tourists.