Journalist

Ki Su-jeong
  • INTERVIEW: Tourism chief aims to boost Seouls global appeal
    INTERVIEW: Tourism chief aims to boost Seoul's global appeal SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - Ghil Gi-yeon, who recently secured a third term as CEO of the Seoul Tourism Organization, has been instrumental in revitalizing the tourism industry since assuming his post in July 2021, helping restore the city's vibrancy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. "With support from Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, we carried out several major projects swiftly and efficiently, including opening a marketplace at Gwanghwamun Plaza, organizing a series of seasonal events like a lantern festival along the Cheonggye Stream, and offering mountain-climbing programs," said Ghil, who now envisions making Seoul one of the top five global tourist destinations with a focus on "art tourism." "What was most rewarding about those projects was the tangible outcomes and favorable responses from both citizens and tourists," he added. Among them, the most notable project was the launch of tourism booths to assist hikers in climbing mountains across Seoul. "I thought outdoor activities would be key in the post-COVID era," he said. "Starting with programs to climb Mt. Bugaksan in 2022, which were later expanded to other nearby mountains including Gwanaksan, the number of participants soared to over 100,000 as of June this year. The project has since been adopted by other local governments with similar programs," he added. Various summer-themed leisure activities and other seasonal festivals in central Seoul have gained popularity, encouraging more Seoulites to take part. In particular, the annual lantern festival along the Cheonggye Stream, featuring dazzling lights and media art installations, has become one of the city's major nighttime attractions for tourists. To cater to the growing number of individual travelers, the organization also opened a cultural lounge last year, attracting more than 22,000 visitors in its first year alone. Interactive programs such as traditional craft-making, calligraphy, makeup classes, and other K-pop-themed events there have drawn strong interest from foreign tourists and youngsters. Ghil, who was awarded a government merit last year in recognition of his achievements and efforts to promote Korean culture, said, "Through these immersive programs and hands-on activities, we can give visitors a true sense of what makes Seoul special." The organization also formed the so-called "Seoul Art Tourism Alliance" (SATA) this year, a partnership of some 83 public and private agencies from the performance, exhibition, and tourism sectors, in a bid to attract more global conferences and conventions, as well as develop new tourism courses to enhance the city's competitiveness. "Seoul has already emerged as one of the world's leading tourist destinations, but its true competitiveness lies in the happiness of its citizens," he emphasized. "Through innovative approaches and strategies that integrate art into daily life, we want to make Seoul a must-visit destination that international tourists are eager to explore." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-22 14:24:57
  • Signiel Busan named Asias leading beach hotel for second consecutive year
    Signiel Busan named Asia's 'leading beach hotel' for second consecutive year SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - Signiel Busan in South Korea's southern port city of Busan has been named Asia's "Leading Beach Hotel" for the second consecutive year, the luxury hotel said on Wednesday. The recognition came from the World Travel Awards, which has selected winners through votes cast by travel experts and industry professionals across more than 160 countries since 1993. Located near Haeundae Beach, the hotel is praised for its panoramic ocean views from all rooms, luxurious interiors, and top-tier facilities and amenities. Its year-round infinity pool, offering ever-changing views of Haeundae, proves popular with guests. The hotel also features ChaoLan, a Michelin-listed modern Cantonese restaurant, along with diverse dining options, a luxury spa, and a lounge, all contributing to its acclaim. General Manager Shim Young-min said the hotel is proud of the latest recognition. "Being selected for the second consecutive year by the prestigious World Travel Awards is an honor. We will continue to endeavor to enhance our facilities and services," he said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-15 09:49:16
  • Everland amusement park draws visitors with K-pop-themed fireworks show
    Everland amusement park draws visitors with K-pop-themed fireworks show SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) - The soundtrack of Netflix's hit South Korean anime "KPop Demon Hunters" filled the air as “golden” fireworks lit up the sky over amusement park Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. The fireworks show features hit songs from the anime in a nighttime concert-style spectacular that blends music, lighting, and special effects. A massive 24-meter by 11-meter LED screen and immersive sound system bring iconic moments from the film to life, with lyrics displayed on-screen to encourage visitors to sing along. During the 10-minute show, songs such as "Golden," "How It's Done," "Soda Pop," and "Your Idol" play as thousands of fireworks burst in sync with the music. Everland boosted the number of fireworks by 25 percent to create an even more dazzling spectacle. Along with the show, a dedicated anime-inspired zone which opened late last month continues to attract thousands of visitors daily. Fans dressed in anime costumes dance and sing along to the soundtrack, creating a festive atmosphere. Exclusive on-site merchandise further adds to the excitement for visitors. An Everland staffer said, "Visitors can immerse themselves in the world of 'KPop Demon Hunters' all day, from the anime-themed zone by day to the fireworks show at night." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-14 10:47:34
  • South Korean casino operator embraces AI to transform industry
    South Korean casino operator embraces AI to transform industry SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - Grand Korea Leisure, a casino operator known for its foreigner-only “Seven Luck” casinos, said on Tuesday it has established an “AI Innovation Team” to accelerate the gambling industry’s transition into artificial intelligence. The company, led by Chief Executive Yoon Doo-hyun, framed the initiative as a shift from earlier digital upgrades — which largely focused on efficiency through conventional IT — toward higher-value services such as predictive analytics and personalized customer experiences. The new unit will explore ways to tailor casino experiences for individual visitors, deploy AI-driven enterprise resource planning systems to anticipate demand, and pursue broader tourism innovations through partnerships between public and private sectors. “Aligned with the government’s AI transformation policy, we aim to contribute to an innovative economy and become Asia’s top urban tourism platform company by 2035,” the company said in a release. The move reflects GKL’s recent push to integrate new technologies into its operations. In 2023, the company introduced Seven Luck Plus, a blockchain-based service platform, followed by autonomous service robots in 2024. In August, it began developing a stablecoin-based payment and voucher system targeted at foreign tourists. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-24 09:43:23