2018 '한국관광의 별'이 된 박서준, 울릉도•독도, 고성 DMZ
The Korea Tourism Awards recognize those who have played a major role in getting people to visit the country from overseas.
Of the winners this year, one is an actor, and another is a famous rocky island.
Won Jung-hwan reports.
Actor Park Seo-joon has been recognized for his role in promoting Korea to the world.
According to the Ministry of Culture and the Korea Tourism Organization,... he was named the winner of the achievement award for promoting Korea abroad at this year's tourism awards ceremony on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old actor made his entertainment debut in 2011 by appearing in a music video, and then gained popularity through a series of television dramas, including this year's romantic comedy drama, What's Wrong with Secretary Kim. That drama was a major hit in South Korea and Park received positive reviews for his performance,… being dubbed the 'master of romantic comedy' by various Korean press outlets.
Along with Park, nine other tourist attractions or travel programs were named as outstanding tourist attractions.
For their natural beauty,… Ulleung-do and Dokdo islands, Korea's easternmost territory, grabbed the top spot for their natural and picturesque landscape.
And as a cultural resource,… the Demilitarized Zone in Goseong, Gangwon-do Province, a historic site where the Mount Geumgang-san tours were operated from, grabbed this year's grand prize.
Although the DMZ Museum in Goseong was established in memory of a painful past,... today it embraces the latest efforts to transform the DMZ from a place of political scars to a symbol of peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Won Jung-hwan, Arirang News.