Kim Rahn is the managing editor of The Korea Times. Since joining the company in 2003, she has covered various beats including the presidential office, Seoul city government, the Bank of Korea and the tourism industry. In 2014, she won the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) award for her coverage of the ordeals of migrant women in Korea.
Seoul mayor acts as tour guide
Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon speaks on a trail along the Fortress Wall in Seoul, Tuesday, as he serves as a one-day tour guide for foreign tourists and journalists invited to take part in a familiarization tour to find hidden tourist attractions in the Korean capital. / Yonhap
By Kim Rahn
By Kim Rahn
In a red jacket worn by tour guides, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon acted as a one-day tour guide Wednesday to introduce the city’s attractions to some 70 journalists, bloggers and travel agents from 14 countries.
The event, titled “Treasure Hunt in Seoul,” was organized by the city government to draw visitors’ attention to the hidden charms of the capital, including Gwangjang Market and a fortress wall built during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).
The mayor told the visitors the history of Seoul’s development at Ihaw Mural Village, telling how the shantytown has become a cultural place after beautiful murals were painted in a development project.
Near the village, participants enjoyed the panorama of the city from Naksanjeong, a pavilion on top of a hill.
Moving along a section of the fortress wall from Naksan Park to Hyehwamun, Park talked about how the walls were built.
The final destination was Gwangjang Market. Park treated the travelers to “bindaetteok” (mung bean pancake), “gimbap” (rice rolled in seaweed), and “makgeolli” (rice wine). He also encouraged them to try on “hanbok,” or traditional Korean costume.
Park picked these places because more travelers come individually and seek offbeat programs rather than already famous tourist attractions, according to city officials.
Last year’s survey of 3,000 foreign visitors to Seoul showed that individual travelers, many of whom were in their 20s or 30s, visited hip places such as the Hongdae area, Itaewon and Garosu-gil, and where they could experience ordinary Seoul citizens’ life, including markets and small alleys.
Celebrities’ visits to Korea in recent years also showed such a trend ― director Tim Burton had bindaetteok at Gwangjang Market; designer Paul Smith enjoyed blowfish stew at a shabby restaurant in Gwanghwamun; and Paris Hilton and Jessica Alba visited clubs in Gangnam.
“We’ll develop new destinations that meet foreigners’ interests to enhance the competitiveness of Seoul’s tourism,” Park said.