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Korea Herald
12-07-2025
- Korea Herald
Make your stopover in Korea count
New K-Stopover program makes turning a layover into a trip easier. with curated glimpses into Korean culture, history and hospitality. Targeting international travelers with layovers of 24 to 72 hours at Incheon Airport, Korea is offering a 'K-Stopover' program to help them make the most of their time here. The specialized travel program provides curated tour packages covering accommodation, transportation, guided tours and cultural experiences. The initiative is open to those whose layovers in Korea extend between one and three days. 'There's so much to discover even in just 48 hours,' said a representative from Incheon Airport. 'Whether it's exploring Seoul's royal palaces, tasting traditional Korean street food or feeding seagulls off the Incheon coast, 'K-Stopover' offers something memorable for everyone.' The program currently offers nine package options. Explore Korean culture and food in Seoul 'Seoul Exploration: Cultural Highlights and K-Food Experience' package costs $390 per person and spans two days and one night. Participants must book in groups of at least four, with daily departures available. The itinerary includes some of Seoul's most iconic destinations such as former presidential complex Cheong Wa Dae, HiKR Ground, a K-pop and media art experience center, and a live performance known as 'The Painters,' which combines visual art and performance theater. Visitors also get to dive deep into Korean cuisine with the five included meals and picnic at Seoul Botanic Park. Explore beyond Seoul For travelers looking to explore beyond Seoul, the 'Incheon & Seoul Splendor Tour: Highlights & Beyond' package offers a mix of coastal charm and historic exploration for $425 per person. The tour begins in Incheon, where guests board a ferry at Gueup Terminal to Wolmido Island and feed seagulls while enjoying scenic views. The day continues with a walk through Wolmi Park and a guided 'Story Tour' of the city's Open Port Area, which showcases colonial-era architecture and multicultural influences dating back to 1883. Sinpo International Market, a local favorite for Korean-style fried chicken known as dakgangjeong, adds a flavorful finish to the day's schedule. The second day brings visitors to Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, followed by stops at Insa-dong and Gwangjang Market, famous for its bustling food stalls and traditional wares. Both tours include accommodations at four-star hotels, ground transportation, travel insurance and an English-speaking guide. Hotel options include well-known properties such as Amanti Hotel Seoul and Shilla Stay Samsung, depending on availability and tour selection. Meals are also included, though the exact number varies based on arrival and departure times. The rates are based on double occupancy, so additional charges apply for solo travelers or those extending their stay beyond the program's time frame. Travelers interested in participating can book directly at After paying a deposit, they'll receive a confirmation voucher. Upon arrival in Korea, participants can visit the Stopover Registration Desk located in Terminal 1 (between exits 1 and 2) or Terminal 2 (near exit 3) to finalize their registration and receive further instructions. The program requires passengers to be in transit at Incheon International Airport with a stay in Korea between 24 and 72 hours. Access to a tour is subject to standard immigration clearance. Airport officials say the initiative not only enriches the travel experience but also supports local tourism in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province. 'It's a win-win,' said the spokesperson. 'Travelers get a brief yet meaningful look at Korea, and the country gets to showcase its culture to a global audience.'
Japan Times
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Visitors rush to see South Korea's Blue House before presidential return
Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans have thronged the Blue House in central Seoul in recent months to get their last glimpse of the historic compound before it is returned to official use as the home and office of the country's president. Lee Jae-myung, who won a snap election on June 3, plans to move into the Blue House soon, and access to some buildings will be restricted from mid-July, the presidential office announced last week. Former leader Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office in April after briefly declaring martial law, broke with decades of tradition by shifting his office and residence out of the compound and opening it to the public. "I heard this place will likely be closed soon. So I wanted to come at least once before that happened," said An Hyun, 62, an office worker from Wonju in northeastern Gangwon Province who was visiting the Blue House this week. "Now that I've seen it, it's really neat and tidy. I don't understand why they moved out of here," said An. Soon after taking office in 2022, Yoon moved the presidential office to a cluster of former defense ministry buildings in another area of central Seoul. The move whipped up a fierce debate among experts on feng shui, a practice that originated in ancient China to ensure harmony between people and their environment, after some political rivals accused Yoon of being influenced by those who said the Blue House location was inauspicious. The Blue House, or "Cheong Wa Dae" in Korean, is named after the blue tiles that cover the top of the main building and is nestled in a scenic spot in front of the Bugaksan mountain. The Blue House Foundation, which organizes visits, said tours to see the ornate state rooms and manicured lawns were fully booked until mid-July. More than 8 million people had taken the chance to visit the Blue House by mid-June, data from the foundation showed. After an initial surge of interest when the complex first opened to the public in 2022, the number of monthly visitors had drifted down to average about 160,000 last year, but after Yoon's impeachment, visitor numbers hit 260,000 in April and 430,000 in May. Another visitor this week, Jin Kyung-soo, a 35-year-old middle-school teacher, had also made a reservation to visit after hearing that the new administration planned to move in again. "We waited in line for about an hour, but it was truly exciting and joyful. I looked around with great hope for what the Lee Jae-myung government will do going forward," said Jin.
Reuters
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Visitors rush to see South Korea's Blue House before presidential return
SEOUL, June 19 (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans have thronged the Blue House in central Seoul in recent months to get their last glimpse of the historic compound before it is returned to official use as the home and office of the country's president. Lee Jae Myung, who won a snap election on June 3, plans to move into the Blue House soon and access to some buildings will be restricted from mid-July, the presidential office announced last week. Former leader Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office in April after briefly declaring martial law, broke with decades of tradition by shifting his office and residence out of the compound and opening it to the public. "I heard this place will likely be closed soon. So I wanted to come at least once before that happened," said An Hyun, 62, an office worker from Wonju in northeastern Gangwon Province who was visiting the Blue House this week. "Now that I've seen it, it's really neat and tidy. I don't understand why they moved out of here," said An. Soon after taking office in 2022, Yoon moved the presidential office to a cluster of former defence ministry buildings in another area of central Seoul. The move whipped up a fierce debate among experts on feng shui, a practice that originated in ancient China to ensure harmony between people and their environment, after some political rivals accused Yoon of being influenced by those who said the Blue House location was inauspicious. The Blue House, or "Cheong Wa Dae" in Korean, is named after the blue tiles that cover the top of the main building and is nestled in a scenic spot in front of the Bugaksan mountain. The Blue House Foundation that organises visits said tours to see the ornate state rooms and manicured lawns were fully booked until mid-July. More than 8 million people had taken the chance to visit the Blue House by mid-June, data from the foundation showed. After an initial surge of interest when the complex first opened to the public in 2022, the number of monthly visitors had drifted down to average about 160,000 last year, but after Yoon's impeachment visitor numbers hit 260,000 in April and 430,000 in May. Another visitor this week, Jin Kyung-soo, a 35-year-old middle-school teacher, had also made a reservation to visit after hearing that the new administration planned to move in again. "We waited in line for about an hour, but it was truly exciting and joyful. I looked around with great hope for what the Lee Jae Myung government will do going forward," said Jin.
Korea Herald
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
‘Blue House' emblem revived as Lee's return nears
The Lee Jae-myung administration has decided to reintroduce the traditional Cheong Wa Dae, or Blue House, insignia for the presidential office, Lee's office announced Friday. The administration will discontinue the current presidential office emblem, which features the Yongsan office building, as preparations continue for a return to the former presidential compound. However, the emblem will temporarily display the wording 'Presidential Office' until the move to the Blue House is complete. Lee's office said it will implement the change only where absolutely necessary to avoid unnecessary spending, starting with the presidential office's new website and new business cards for government officials.
Korea Herald
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Lee taps next-gen officials for foreign policy team ahead of G7 trip
Former vice foreign minister under Moon reportedly set for top post President Lee Jae-myung's foreign policy team is taking shape ahead of his diplomatic debut at the G7 summit, with the surprising appointment of relatively young vice ministers in a break with Korea's long-established system of seniority. At the same time, veteran diplomat Cho Hyun, who previously served as both first and second vice minister, as well as UN ambassador, under the liberal Moon Jae-in government, concurrent with the first Trump administration, has all but secured his place as the leading candidate for foreign minister. The Foreign Ministry appeared to find the presidential office's announcement on Tuesday unexpected, as Park Yoon-joo — appointed first vice foreign minister — had a shorter career in the civil service than several officials who would now report to him. Park passed the 29th foreign service exam in 1995, making him 11 years junior to his predecessor, Kim Hong-kyun, who passed the 18th foreign service exam. In terms of years of service since passing the foreign service exam, Park is also the junior of the current deputy ministers for political affairs, protocol affairs, and planning and coordination — all of whom he now directly oversees. At the Foreign Ministry in Seoul, where a rigid seniority-based culture prevails, it is considered virtually unprecedented for someone so junior in years of service to be appointed as first vice foreign minister, overseeing bilateral affairs and personnel management. However, Park is not the youngest person to serve as first vice minister; the previous Moon Jae-in administration appointed Choi Jong-kun to the post in 2020 when he was just 46 years old. Park reportedly has a long-standing relationship with National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, dating back to their time working together at the presidential office. When Wi was dispatched from the Foreign Ministry to the transition committee during the Roh Moo-hyun administration in 2002 and 2003, Park was serving at Cheong Wa Dae, the presidential office and residence also known as the Blue House. In 2004, when Wi was posted to Washington as minister at the South Korean Embassy, Park also served alongside him as first secretary at the same embassy. Park's most recent position was minister at South Korea's mission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, but most of his career has been devoted to diplomacy vis-a-vis the US. Park has served as first secretary at the Embassy in Washington, director of North American Affairs, deputy consul general at the Korean Consulate General in Boston, deputy director-general at the Bureau of North American Affairs, and consul general in Atlanta. Kim: From academia Kim Jina, a professor in the Department of Language and Diplomacy at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, was appointed second vice foreign minister, overseeing multilateral and economic affairs. Born in 1979, Kim is also younger than most director-general-level officials who head the bureaus, serving as the ministry's backbone. Her predecessor, Kang In-sun, was born in 1964. Kim played an active role in the 'Responsible Global Power Committee,' which helped shape Lee Jae-myung's foreign, security and unification policies during his presidential campaign, serving as vice chair of the committee's Practical Diplomacy Subcommittee. The committee was co-chaired by Lee Jong-seok, the current nominee for director of the National Intelligence Service and former unification minister under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, as well as Rep. Cho Jeong-sik of the Democratic Party of Korea. "The international community hopes that Korea, as a responsible member, will be more involved in and contribute further to resolving global issues," Kim said in her inauguration speech Wednesday. "The reason the new administration set forth pragmatic diplomacy with the aim of becoming a globally responsible power is precisely to meet these demands of the times." Cho: Trade veteran Cho Hyun, a career diplomat with extensive experience in multilateral diplomacy and trade, has been tipped as the Lee administration's first foreign minister, according to multiple sources. Cho was active in the Responsible Global Power Committee as well as the Special Committee on Northeast Asian Peace and Cooperation, chaired by Wi, which serves as the Democratic Party's main body overseeing security affairs and North Korea issues. Cho's diplomatic career includes ambassador to India in 2015, as well as ambassador to Austria and permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna in 2011. Cho also held the post of deputy permanent representative to the UN in New York in 2006. Within the Foreign Ministry, Cho has held numerous high-level positions, including deputy minister for multilateral and global affairs, ambassador for energy and resources, and director-general of the Ministry's International Economic Affairs Bureau. Cho was involved in negotiations for a Korea-Japan free trade agreement and served as chief negotiator for the Korea-Mexico FTA. As ambassador to India — a major emerging market — in 2015, he worked to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
