AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

&
""
Latest by
  • Second Phase of Public Institution Relocation Faces Challenges in Regional Settlement
    Second Phase of Public Institution Relocation Faces Challenges in Regional Settlement The second phase of public institution relocation, aimed at alleviating congestion in the capital region and promoting balanced national development, is becoming more visible. However, the first phase has been criticized for falling short in terms of employee and family settlement, attracting related businesses, and fostering an industrial-academic-research ecosystem. Experts argue that the second phase requires measures that go beyond mere office relocations to facilitate genuine regional settlement.According to relevant authorities, the government initiated the public institution relocation project in 2003 with a basic plan and designated institutions for relocation in 2005, targeting the alleviation of overcrowding in the capital region and promoting balanced national development. The first phase began in earnest in 2012 with the relocation of the Korea Transport Institute to Jeju Innovation City and concluded in 2019 with the move of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Evaluation and Planning to Chungbuk Innovation City.A total of 153 institutions and approximately 52,000 personnel relocated to ten innovation cities across the country, including Sejong City. The National Assembly Budget Office separately analyzed 105 public institutions under the Public Institutions Management Act.The analysis revealed that the relocation of public institutions contributed to population growth in innovation cities and an increase in local tax revenue. As of the end of 2025, the population in innovation cities nationwide reached 234,684, and the public institutions that relocated paid a total of 25.072 trillion won in local taxes from 2016 to 2024. The introduction of a mandatory local talent recruitment system also expanded employment opportunities for local university graduates.However, the evaluation indicates that actual settlement remains incomplete. The family relocation rate, including single and unmarried individuals, was 71% as of 2025, falling short of the government’s target of 75%. Satisfaction with living conditions in 2024 was rated at only 69.4 out of 100. Although the occupancy rate of the industrial-academic-research cluster in innovation cities was 81.8% based on planned sales, the actual occupancy rate was only 56.6% based on the area sold.Connections to the capital region have not been severed. Among the 104 institutions that submitted data, 60 operated shuttle buses to the capital region, with a total budget of 198.99 billion won allocated from 2010 to 2025. Additionally, 47 institutions were found to have separate personnel or facilities in the capital region with approval from the Local Era Committee. This raises concerns about the continued presence of employees' families in the capital and the issue of 'weekend hollowing out' in innovation cities.Delays in relocation schedules and increased project costs have also posed challenges. The average relocation schedule for the surveyed institutions was delayed by 28.6 months compared to initial plans, and the total relocation costs increased by 645.62 billion won from the original estimates.The approach of establishing new innovation cities on the outskirts has also been criticized. The National Assembly Future Research Institute noted that some new city-type innovation cities have exacerbated the hollowing out and decline of existing urban centers by absorbing surrounding populations.The effectiveness of dispersing the capital region's population to rural areas has also been limited. An analysis of domestic population movement statistics from 2005 to 2024 by the National Assembly Future Research Institute found that most of the population influx to innovation cities came from nearby cities and provinces rather than the capital region.For instance, in 2024, Daegu Innovation City saw an influx of 3,310 people from the capital region, while 9,014 people moved from nearby areas such as Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, Busan, and Ulsan. Similarly, Busan Innovation City recorded 6,983 new residents from the capital region, compared to 13,504 from neighboring cities and provinces. This suggests that the relocation has primarily involved redistributing populations within non-capital regions rather than dispersing the capital region's population.Some areas have even experienced net outflows of population after the relocations were completed. According to the National Assembly Future Research Institute, regions where new city-type innovation cities were established, such as Gyeongbuk and Jeonbuk Innovation Cities, have seen outflows surpassing inflows, with Ulsan Jung-gu and Jinju in Gyeongnam also experiencing net outflows.Concerns have also been raised that the benefits of expanding local talent recruitment have been concentrated in a few universities. An analysis of local talent recruitment trends at major relocating institutions from 2018 to 2024 revealed that 71.2% to 81.0% of local hires at institutions like the Korea Asset Management Corporation and the Korea Land and Housing Corporation came from the top two regional universities in terms of recruitment volume.To avoid repeating the limitations of the first phase, experts suggest that the second phase should focus on enhancing the foundations for settlement, including education, healthcare, childcare, culture, and transportation, as well as encouraging the concurrent relocation of related businesses and research and development personnel.Min Bo-kyung, a researcher at the National Assembly Future Research Institute, stated, "If the first phase represented a paradigm of 'equal distribution' during a time of overall population growth and the expansion of large cities, the policy environment must fundamentally change in the era of significant population decline. The government should establish a strategy to strengthen hubs through selective concentration in line with its spatial policy of five poles and three specialties."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-02 18:04:00
  • Strategic Placement Key to Success of Second Public Institution Relocation
    Strategic Placement Key to Success of Second Public Institution Relocation The government is set to announce its second public institution relocation plan in the second half of the year, with increasing calls for strategic placement to promote regional balanced development. Analysts suggest that the success of this second relocation will depend on how effectively it can create synergies by linking industries with public institutions, rather than merely moving agencies to rural areas. According to relevant ministries, up to 350 public institutions, including those remaining in the metropolitan area and government-funded organizations, are being considered for the second relocation. The government plans to begin the relocation process next year, focusing on leading institutions after announcing the plan in the latter half of this year. This second relocation is likely to adopt a 'cluster-based approach,' concentrating institutions in specific hubs based on their functions and industrial connectivity. The aim is to enhance synergies by grouping related agencies around key regional industries such as marine, finance, and energy. For instance, energy public enterprises and related institutions may be concentrated in the Honam region, while financial and marine agencies could be placed in Busan. The government is considering this approach to avoid repeating the limitations of the first public institution relocation. While the first relocation, which focused on equitable distribution among regions, contributed to some degree of fairness, it fell short in fostering industrial connections and creating a self-sustaining growth foundation. Hong Jun-hyun, a professor at Chung-Ang University, stated, "The excessive dispersion of institutions across regions during the first relocation hindered both the expected clustering effects and regional balanced development outcomes." Experts express concern that the relocation of public institutions may be influenced by political considerations. Kang In-soo, a professor of economics at Sookmyung Women's University, warned, "As political considerations increase, existing principles may be compromised, weakening the clustering effect and potentially leading to poor site selection decisions." Lee Hyang-soo, president of the Korean Association for Local Government Studies and a professor at Konkuk University, added, "During the first relocation, political interests often took precedence over regional characteristics, making it difficult to achieve the original goal of national balanced development." Improving living conditions is also identified as a key challenge. During the first relocation, insufficient educational, healthcare, and cultural facilities led to unmet expectations for family relocations, and some innovation cities experienced a 'weekend hollowing out' phenomenon, where residents worked during the week but returned to the metropolitan area on weekends. Lee emphasized, "Some innovation cities still lack essential living infrastructure," suggesting that relocating public institutions responsible for education, healthcare, and cultural facilities should also be considered. There is also a call to strengthen connections with local communities. When public institutions relocate, they should establish talent development systems in collaboration with local universities, such as operating contract programs or recruitment linkage initiatives. Ma Gang-rae, a professor in urban planning and real estate at Chung-Ang University, stated, "We need to create a structure where local universities and communities grow together, and municipalities with such plans should be prioritized as relocation sites. Simply focusing on expanding tax revenue will not lead to success." Minimizing relocation costs is another challenge. Ma noted, "The first relocation process incurred significant costs for developing new sites to create innovation cities," suggesting that it is essential to actively utilize existing vacant urban areas and public facilities rather than developing new farmland. Some experts argue that fostering hubs around metropolitan areas is more efficient than creating new innovation cities. Professor Hong stated, "It would be preferable to first place public enterprises and institutions in metropolitan areas and then expand to regional central cities, as this would allow for the utilization of existing infrastructure, reducing costs and maximizing industrial clustering effects." 2026-08-02 18:04:00
  • President Lee Resumes Second Round of Departmental Reports Following Return from Trip
    President Lee Resumes Second Round of Departmental Reports Following Return from Trip On August 3, President Lee Jae-myung will return from a diplomatic trip and will resume the second round of departmental reports starting on August 4. According to the Blue House on August 2, President Lee will hold the second round of departmental reports over two days, from August 4 to 5. On August 4, he will begin with reports from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the Ministry of Climate and Energy (Korea Meteorological Administration), and the Nuclear Safety Commission. He will also receive reports from the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups, and the Fair Trade Commission on the same day. The following day, August 5, he will preside over morning reports from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Overseas Koreans Agency), the Ministry of Unification, the Ministry of National Defense (Military Manpower Administration, Defense Acquisition Program Administration), and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs. In the afternoon, he will receive reports from the Ministry of Education, the National Education Commission, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Cultural Heritage Administration), the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (National Police Agency, National Fire Agency), the Ministry of Personnel Management, the Ministry of Justice (Prosecutors' Office), the Legislative Affairs Office, and the Office for Government Policy Coordination. The total number of agencies involved in this round of reports includes 19 ministries, 6 offices, 18 agencies, and 7 committees, totaling 140 public institutions. Previously, President Lee received departmental reports from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare at the Blue House on July 15 and 16.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-02 18:00:00
  • Michelle Steel Begins Tenure as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, Strengthening Alliance
    Michelle Steel Begins Tenure as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, Strengthening Alliance Michelle Steel, the first Korean American woman to serve as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, officially began her duties on July 31. She is the first ambassador appointed to the position during Donald Trump's second term, filling a vacancy that had lasted over a year and a half.According to the U.S. Embassy in South Korea, Steel raised the American flag alongside Marine security guards at the embassy on July 31, marking a "symbolic and meaningful moment" to start her tenure.Steel arrived in South Korea through Incheon International Airport on July 30. Speaking to reporters at the airport, she expressed her hopes for continued cooperation with South Korea to ensure that the strong U.S.-South Korea alliance remains a cornerstone for peace and security in the region.She added, "In Gyeongju, President Trump and President Lee Jae-myung opened a new chapter in our alliance," emphasizing her commitment to realizing Trump's vision and making the U.S.-South Korea alliance stronger, safer, and more prosperous than ever.Born in Seoul in 1955, Steel moved to the United States in 1975. She previously served as a commissioner for the California Board of Equalization and as a supervisor in Orange County before serving as a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2021 to 2025.Steel is the second Korean American to hold the position of U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, following former Ambassador Sung Kim, and she is the first Korean American woman to do so. The U.S. Embassy in South Korea had been operating under a chargé d'affaires since former Ambassador Philip Goldberg's departure in January 2025.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-02 17:52:00
  • Irans Foreign Minister Agrees to Compromise on Hormuz Strait Reopening
    Iran's Foreign Minister Agrees to Compromise on Hormuz Strait Reopening Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reportedly agreed to a compromise proposal for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, facilitated by the United States and Qatar.According to Israeli Channel 12 on August 2, two diplomats familiar with the negotiations stated that Araghchi accepted the proposal during the night from Saturday to Sunday, which was mediated by Qatar.The compromise involves sharing the maritime routes between Iran and Oman based on the direction of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Vessels entering the Persian Gulf would use the Iranian side of the route, while those exiting would utilize the Omani side.Oman has also agreed to the proposal but has requested clarification from Iran on whether Araghchi's agreement represents the position of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.The Qatari mediators are continuing discussions with Iran to confirm the Revolutionary Guard's support for the agreement.If finalized, this compromise could lead to a gradual normalization of shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. However, the Iranian government and the Revolutionary Guard have not yet made an official announcement regarding their acceptance of the agreement.Araghchi's positive response is said to be one of the reasons why President Donald Trump decided to cancel airstrikes against Iran.On August 1, Trump stated on social media platform Truth Social, "Iran and other Middle Eastern countries have just requested that we hold off on any attacks, as a basic framework for an agreement has been established." He added, "For the future of the world and the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, I agreed to cancel the attack under the condition that we can quickly reach an agreement."He further noted that the agreement includes provisions for the immediate, complete, and total reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the cessation of Iran's nuclear threats.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-02 17:40:00
  • Mondays Heat Wave Continues with Highs Reaching 100 Degrees
    Monday's Heat Wave Continues with Highs Reaching 100 Degrees The heat wave will continue on Monday, with daytime highs reaching 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) in many areas across the country.According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the heat will persist nationwide from morning until night. The central region will see cloudy skies in the morning, clearing up later, while the southern regions and Jeju Island will experience mostly clear weather.Morning low temperatures are forecasted to be between 23 and 27 degrees Celsius (73 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit), with daytime highs ranging from 32 to 38 degrees Celsius (90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit). Expected temperatures in major cities include: Seoul 26-37 degrees, Incheon 26-34 degrees, Suwon 26-36 degrees, Chuncheon 25-35 degrees, Daejeon 25-37 degrees, Sejong 25-37 degrees, Gwangju 26-38 degrees, Daegu 26-38 degrees, Busan 27-35 degrees, Ulsan 26-35 degrees, Changwon 26-38 degrees, and Jeju 27-34 degrees.For the time being, the perceived temperature in most areas is expected to hover around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). Notably, many regions will experience tropical nights, where nighttime temperatures do not drop below 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), necessitating special caution.Wave heights are expected to be between 0.5 and 1.0 meters in the East and South Seas, and around 0.5 meters in the West Sea. In the offshore waters, wave heights are forecasted to be 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the East and South Seas, and 0.5 to 1.0 meters in the West Sea.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-02 17:40:00
  • People Power Party Shifts Focus to Criminal Procedure Law After Election Commission Special Investigation Bill Passes
    People Power Party Shifts Focus to Criminal Procedure Law After Election Commission Special Investigation Bill Passes Following the bipartisan passage of the 'Election Commission Special Investigation Bill,' the People Power Party is concentrating its efforts on issues related to the Criminal Procedure Law. The party is pressuring President Lee Jae-myung to exercise his veto power against the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law, which was unilaterally passed by the Democratic Party on July 31, and is also planning to file a constitutional appeal.According to political sources on August 2, the People Power Party is set to hold a field meeting in front of the Blue House on August 3. During this meeting, they are expected to announce their future response strategies regarding the Criminal Procedure Law amendment.This will be the first field meeting in front of the Blue House since May 7, when the People Power Party protested against the Democratic Party's proposal for a special investigation bill related to President Lee.The amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law aims to abolish the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights and expand the grounds for dismissing charges. The People Power Party has opposed the amendment, arguing that abolishing supplementary investigation rights would hinder victims from receiving state assistance. They have also strongly criticized the inclusion of expanded grounds for dismissing charges, claiming it is a maneuver to cancel President Lee's trial.Despite the Democratic Party's insistence on pushing the bill through, the People Power Party plans to visit the Blue House to urge President Lee to exercise his veto power and simultaneously engage in a public relations campaign. Within the party, there is a growing movement to focus their efforts on responding to the Criminal Procedure Law amendment during the field meeting.Jung Jeom-sik, the party's floor leader, mentioned the possibility of filing a constitutional appeal. He stated on his Facebook page, "This amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law deprives prosecutors of their right to request warrants and their investigative powers, which are directly linked to the Constitution, raising significant constitutional concerns. The introduction of full case transfers only for seven major crimes against socially vulnerable groups also poses a risk of violating equality rights."He added, "The rights of the people to seek judicial relief and equality must not be infringed upon due to political madness and collusion. The People Power Party will pursue judicial normalization in South Korea through a constitutional appeal."With the Election Commission Special Investigation Bill having passed the National Assembly on July 30, there are expectations that the party will shift its focus to the Criminal Procedure Law. Analysts suggest that while the amendment makes it more difficult to protect general victims, it strengthens protections for President Lee, which will be emphasized in their public relations efforts.In response, the Democratic Party held an emergency press conference on the same day, arguing that the Criminal Procedure Law amendment guarantees victims' rights and allows the judiciary to quickly assess cases where citizens face unjust investigations, enabling them to recover damages sooner. The Democratic Party plans to hold a 'National Report Meeting on the Criminal Procedure Law Amendment' in the National Assembly on August 3 to provide detailed explanations to the public.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-02 17:32:00
  • Jangheung Water Festival Attracts 448,000 Visitors, Blends K-Culture Over Nine Days
    Jangheung Water Festival Attracts 448,000 Visitors, Blends K-Culture Over Nine Days The 19th Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival, a major summer event in Jangheung County, South Jeolla Province, concluded successfully on August 2 after nine days of festivities. According to Jangheung County, the festival, held from July 25 to August 2 at the Tanjin River, the Cypress Forest Woodland, and Papillon Zip, attracted approximately 448,000 visitors. This year's festival, themed 'Healing Water, Summer Water, Exciting Jangheung,' expanded beyond traditional water play to include healing, culture, and K-Culture content, transforming it into a stay tourism festival. The opening 'Water Battle Parade' turned the streets of Jangheung into a vibrant scene where tourists and locals participated in a street festival featuring traditional cultural performances from various countries and water-based performances that set the festive mood. At the Tanjin River, activities included the world's largest water fight, golden fish catching, wooden boat rides, banana boat rides, and water cycling, drawing families to the event. This year also featured programs linked to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's 'MyK FESTA,' which included K-POP performances, the Jangheung Rock Festival, and Water Beat performances, successfully engaging younger audiences and foreign tourists. New attractions like Papillon Zip became another highlight of the festival, offering content based on film and drama shooting locations, AR mission tours, and experiential programs that appealed to families and young visitors. Stay tourism programs were also expanded, with nighttime activities such as the Starlight Moonlight Youth Zone, Jangheung Water Light Night, and 'Exciting Jangheung Camping Stay' designed to extend visitors' stay and encourage them to explore local businesses. Changes were made to the food offerings as well. Instead of a separate local food hall, the festival collaborated with the Jeongnamjin Jangheung Saturday Market and local restaurants to provide regional specialties like Jangheung Hanwoo Samhap and Doenjang Mulhoe, promoting the local economy. During the festival, Jangheung County implemented safety measures, including shuttle bus services, a joint disaster safety control center, and an emergency medical system, with the participation of residents, volunteers, and related organizations contributing to the smooth operation of the event. Even after the festival's conclusion, the Tanjin River water park will remain open until August 11 for summer tourists. Jangheung County Mayor Sa Soon-moon stated, "This year's water festival was created together by residents, tourists, and volunteers. We will continue to expand community participation to grow it into a global festival that combines K-Culture and healing tourism, beyond being a representative summer festival of Korea." Additionally, Jangheung County donated 50 million won from the festival's proceeds to the Jeonnam Community Chest of Korea, sharing the festival's success with the local community.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-02 17:24:00
  • Seven out of Ten Domestic Stocks Declined Amid July Market Crash; What to Expect in August?
    Seven out of Ten Domestic Stocks Declined Amid July Market Crash; What to Expect in August? In July, the domestic stock market saw a significant decline, with seven out of ten listed companies on the KOSPI and KOSDAQ experiencing drops. The KOSDAQ was particularly hard hit, with approximately three-quarters of its stocks falling. Investors are closely monitoring the market's direction for August. Analysts agree that the inflow of foreign capital, particularly in the semiconductor and financial sectors, will be a key factor in determining the market's trajectory for the month.According to the Korea Exchange, as of July 31, 1,859 out of 2,645 listed stocks on the KOSPI and KOSDAQ had lower prices compared to the end of June, representing 70.3% of all listed stocks. Specifically, among the 917 KOSPI-listed stocks, 566 (61.7%) declined, while 1,293 out of 1,728 KOSDAQ-listed stocks (74.8%) fell. Notably, about three out of four KOSDAQ stocks recorded negative returns.The KOSPI dropped 22.2% in July, while the KOSDAQ fell by 21.4%. This marks the largest monthly decline since the global financial crisis began in October 2008.Despite the overall downturn, individual stock performances varied widely. Kolon TissueGene saw the largest drop, plummeting 86% following the announcement of clinical trial results for its osteoarthritis gene therapy. Other significant decliners included The Technology (-76%), Kolon Life Science (-67%), Contentree Central (-67%), StradVision (-65%), and Justek (-64%). Conversely, G&E Healthcare recorded a remarkable 222% increase, leading the gains, followed by ICH (87%), Becton (86%), Enex (85%), and Joyworks & Co. (75%).Market analysts suggest that the recent stock market adjustment is more influenced by a decline in investor sentiment than by deteriorating corporate earnings. However, there remains potential for a rebound, particularly in the semiconductor and financial sectors, which experienced significant declines.Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, stated, "Recent upward adjustments in forward earnings per share (EPS) and profit forecasts for this year and next indicate that corporate earnings fundamentals remain solid. The KOSPI is currently in an excessively undervalued state." Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, added, "The KOSPI remains in an oversold zone, and the earnings trends of major companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix will determine the market's direction."Brokerages advise focusing on sector-specific strategies and foreign capital trends in their August investment strategy reports. Promising sectors include semiconductors, finance, defense, and food and beverage.Lee Jae-man, a researcher at Hana Securities, noted, "Historically, after significant declines, foreign investors tend to maintain a net buying trend for about six months. Given the widening gap in the MSCI emerging market index inclusion ratio between Samsung Electronics and TSMC, the potential for foreign capital inflow is increasing."Kim Min-kyu, a researcher at KB Securities, projected the KOSPI's range for August to be between 5,500 and 8,000, recommending a strategy to increase exposure in the banking, cosmetics, and food sectors while approaching the steel and battery sectors with caution.Shinhan Investment Corp. maintained a favorable outlook on the semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure sectors, highlighting NVIDIA's earnings report and domestic export indicators as key market variables, while also noting the growth potential of the AI industry.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-02 17:20:00
  • Global Cruise Crew Experience Highlights Attractions in Gwangju, South Korea
    Global Cruise Crew Experience Highlights Attractions in Gwangju, South Korea Crew members from the Chinese global cruise line Adora Cruises experienced key tourist attractions in Gwangju, South Korea, confirming the competitiveness of local tourism offerings.On August 1, the Gwangju Metropolitan City invited crew members from the Adora Magic City, which docked at Yeosu Port, for a familiarization tour aimed at developing shore excursion programs in the Jangheung and Boseong areas.This familiarization tour was designed to identify shore excursion products that reflect the preferences of international cruise tourists and to gather feedback from cruise line representatives to enhance product appeal.Participants visited the 'Jungnamjin Jangheung Water Festival,' a major summer event in Jeonnam, where they engaged in various experiential programs and festival activities. They also toured the Boseong green tea fields, taking in the natural beauty and key tourist resources of the region.Crew members expressed high satisfaction with the experiential tourism content and the unique natural environment, noting significant potential for developing seasonal shore excursion products.Based on the results of this familiarization tour, Gwangju Metropolitan City plans to continuously develop tourism content that reflects the travel preferences and latest trends of cruise tourists. They aim to expand customized shore excursion programs that integrate culture, nature, and festivals to attract international cruise visitors.Yeosu Port, in particular, is rapidly establishing itself as a hub for marine tourism on the southern coast, with a significant increase in international cruise arrivals. This year, Yeosu Port is expected to host a total of 24 cruise calls, bringing in approximately 65,000 visitors. By the end of June, 25,000 tourists had already visited Yeosu through nine cruise calls, marking the highest number of international cruise arrivals since the port opened. This surge is raising expectations for the recovery of the cruise tourism market and revitalization of the local tourism industry.Choi Young-joo, head of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Tourism Bureau, stated, "This familiarization tour was a meaningful opportunity to showcase Gwangju's diverse tourism resources to representatives of overseas cruise lines and confirm the competitiveness of shore excursion programs. We will continue to strengthen cooperation with international cruise lines and focus on strategic tourism marketing and content development to expand cruise calls and attract foreign tourists."Meanwhile, Gwangju Metropolitan City plans to accelerate the development of stay-type tourism products that link local festivals with cultural, ecological, and culinary tourism in response to the growing demand for international cruise tourism, particularly centered around Yeosu Port.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-02 17:16:00