Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Croatia to open tourism office in September
Croatian Ambassador to Korea Damir Kusen, third from left and Honorary Consul General of Croatia to Korea Yang In-mo, right, pose with other dignitaries during Croatia's national day reception at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on Yeouido, Seoul, June 26. / Korea Times photo by Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo
Croatia will open a tourism office in Korea in September, one in a series of bilateral exchanges deepened by the establishment of the Croatian Embassy in Seoul in October 2018.
Zoran Horvat, who has been named the director of the Seoul branch office of Croatian National Tourist Board, told The Korea Times he is working closely with Croatian Ambassador to Korea Damir Kusen and other relevant officials to launch the office on time.
“September is the planned time for launch,” he said during a reception June 26 for the anniversary of Statehood Day, which celebrates the country’s independence from Yugoslavia in June 1991.
Horvat was joined by Ambassador Kusen, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Park Joo-sun, Honorary Consul General of Croatia to Korea Yang In-mo and members of the diplomatic corps.
This was the first-ever national day reception hosted by the Croatian Embassy in Korea since it opened last year.
The celebration took place at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building on Yeouido, Seoul, courtesy of Park Joo-sun who also serves as the president of the Korea-Croatia Parliamentary Friendship Group.
Kusen noted tourism stands out among recent bilateral exchanges, including three ministerial visits from the Croatian side as well as visits by academic and business delegations to each other’s country.
“But more than anything, Korea and Croatia are deeply connected by tourism,” Kusen said in his anniversary address.
He referred to the direct flights by Korea’s flagship carrier Korean Air between Incheon and the Croatian capital of Zagreb running three times a week since September 2018, over 560,000 Korean tourists to Croatia throughout 2018, and the bilateral trade volume that year of $340 million.
Park attributed the presence of the Croatian embassy here to the growing cooperation between the two countries.
In a congratulatory speech, he recalled his 2017 visit to Croatia and described the country as having a “magnificent natural environment and remarkable historical architecture.”
“I was very much impressed and I was convinced that the country, with its increased number of Korean tourists, will become the world’s top tourist destination,” Park said.
The anniversary celebration included a mini exhibition of photos and paintings of Croatia’s popular travel sites, such as its centuries-old architecture in Zagreb, Dubrovnik Old Town, the Istrian Peninsula and Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Croatia and Korea established diplomatic ties in 1992.
Korea opened its embassy in Zagreb in 2005.