[LEE'S 1ST YEAR IN OFFICE] President bets big on regional tourism

No president in Korean history has taken tourism more seriously than President Lee Jae Myung. Previous presidents did not feel the need to focus heavily on tourism because the Korean economy largely relied on exports such as electronics, refined petroleum products, automobiles and semiconductors. However, the situation looked quite different when Lee took office last year. The global popularity of Korean dramas, films and K-pop artists has drawn international tourists to Korea to visit locations featured in their favorite shows, eat dishes enjoyed by celebrities and shop for beauty products used by K-pop stars. Lee also had his own reason to push for tourism, as he seeks to alleviate Korea's slowing economic growth, demographic decline and weak regional economies. The president has described tourism as a “core national strategic industry,” stressing that the country must move beyond Seoul-centered tourism growth to achieve sustainable expansion. “Tourism is a key national strategic industry for Korea,” Lee said during a meeting to discuss national tourism strategy in February.

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