2010-07 - Korea IT Times

Cover Story
PCs recently created new game markets and that the 3D game
sector grows at a rapid pace thanks to development of advanced
3D technology.
"In addition, I think such functional games as those for education,
training and treatment have a high possibility of being developed
into new growth engines for the nation's game industry,"
said Yu.
Yu became the longest-serving minister on Feb. 14. The actorturned-minister
Yu broke the longest serving record (one year, 11
months and 14 days) set by former Minister Lee O-young who
held the post from Jan. 3, 1990 to Dec. 19, 1991.
Since his inauguration on Feb. 29 in 2008, Yu has been appreciated
as a "field-oriented" minister as he has been active in visiting
various regions to encourage artists and promote cultural policies.
The following is main content of the interview with Minister of
Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon.
Q: Do you have any strategy to globalize Korean culture in
preparation for the 2010 Korea G20 Summit?
A: Korea will host the 2010 G20 Summit in November this year, in
which heads of states, finance ministers, central bank governors
and other dignitaries of many foreign countries are to participate.
We are now collecting good ideas to herald Korean culture and
tradition to all over the world during the G20 summit period.
During the global event period, we plan to invite participants in the
G20 meeting, including journalists and business leaders, to
Korea's representative traditional programs to be played at major
theaters.
Besides, we plan to invite foreign guests to a "temple stay" program
and other events to visit ancient palaces and experience
Korea's unique tradition and culture. Even after the G20 Summit,
we will continue implementing such cultural programs to enhance
foreign visitors' understanding of Korean culture.
Q: Would you introduce major tourism products and international
events for the 2010-2012 Visit Korea Years?
A: First of all, we will hold various festivals this year to provide foreign
tourists with many chances to see and enjoy Korea's traditional
festivals, including the Hallyu Festival to be held in Gyeongju
on Sept. 11-14, Busan Fireworks Festival in Busan on Oct. 21-23,
the World Foods Tourism Festival in Jeonju on Oct. 21-27.
In addition, the ministry will actively support provincial governments'
overseas marketing activities to attract foreign tourists to
such big events as the 2010 Great Baekje World Festival to be held
in Gongju and Buyeo in South Chungcheong Province on Sept. 18-
Oct. 17 and 2010 Formula 1 Korean Grand Prix to be held in
Yeongam in South Jeolla Province.
To activate foreigners' shopping tours to Korea, the nation will hold
the Seoul Grand Sale during the July 21-Sept. 12 period and the
Jeon Woo Chi 2009
Korea Grand Sale in winter season.
At the same time, we selected 24 tourist spots in the country,
which have interesting stories related to Korea's unique culture
and tradition. We are actively supporting travel agencies to help
them develop the 24 places as the nation's key tourism products in
close cooperation with provincial governments.
We will make the best use of such big international events as G20
Summit and Formula 1 Korean Grand Prix to herald Korea's traditional
culture history and tourism information to foreign tourists.
Q: Do you have any other plan to attract more foreign tourists
to Korea?
A: To achieve the 2010 target of attracting 8.5 million foreign
tourists, we are now staging a nationwide campaign to treat foreign
tourists with a cordial and hospitable attitude at all places, including
airport immigration office, shopping centers, hotels and
restaurants.
The ministry is also dispatching a special team to foreign countries
to hold explanatory meetings to introduce Korea's tourism attractions,
various tourist goods and many incentives related to accommodation
and transportation to foreigners.
www.mcst.go.kr
Yeon Choul-woong/ bruceyeon@koreaittimes.com
18 KOREA IT TIMES | July 2010