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Culture ministry invites foreign influencers in Korea to discover overlooked heritage, cuisine
Courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
By Kim Se-jeong
'Senses of K-Culture’ offers foreign residents a taste of Korea’s lesser-known heritage, cuisine, activities
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is launching a new tour program this weekend, targeting foreign nationals residing in Korea who are active on social media to promote lesser-known aspects of Korea and its culture.
Titled "The Senses of K-Culture," the initiative will take participants to nine different locations across the country in spring and fall, offering opportunities to experience local heritage, cuisine and outdoor activities.
"Korean culture's global standing has risen significantly in recent years. However, there are still many aspects of Korean culture that remain unknown but can be attractive to visitors from abroad," a ministry official said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Through this program, we hope participants will immerse themselves in Korea’s culture and share their experiences with their audiences."
The program's nine destinations offer unique experiences beyond the widely recognized tourist attractions.
This weekend's program will take participants to Gimpo and Ganghwa Island, both west of Seoul. There, they will visit Aegibong Peace Ecopark, where they can observe North Korean villages, Jeondeung Temple, one of Korea’s oldest temples and a well-known dessert cafe to sample and make traditional Korean sweets.
In May, the program will go to the east coast to visit Donghae and Samcheok in Gangwon Province from May 23 to 25, followed by Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province from May 26 to 28. September’s destinations will be Muju and Jinan in North Jeolla Province, while in October, participants will explore Gongju and Buyeo in South Chungcheong Province.
Jeondeung Temple on Ganghwa Island / Korea Times file
As part of extended promotional efforts through international partnerships, the program will collaborate with foreign broadcasters, beginning with Mongol TV. Crews from the network will participate in the tour and later broadcast the experience to audiences in Mongolia.
With the popularity of K-pop, Korean dramas and films, the country has become an increasingly attractive destination for travelers. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, the number of tourists visiting Korea surpassed 16 million last year.
Although participants for this weekend’s program have already been selected, the ministry will open applications for future trips. Any foreign resident with an active social media presence is eligible to apply. Visit sensesofkculture.kr for more information.