Kim Announces National Land Development Pledge...
"Tourism Industry Lags Behind Major OECD Countries"
"20,000-30,000 Seat Performance Venues in Five Megacities... Creating 'K-pop Cities'"
On the 27th, one week before the 21st presidential election, Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, unveiled a national land development pledge focused on discovering regional attractions and developing K-content-based tourism products.
On the morning of the same day, Kim announced the pledge titled 'National Land Overhaul: Hot Places Across Korea' at the People Power Party's central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul.
Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is speaking a promise to the people after announcing the pledge for 'National Land Overhaul: Hot Places Across Korea - A New Republic of Korea' at the central party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 27th. 2025.5.27 Photo by Kim Hyunmin
First, the plan is to develop regional attractions into "global hot places" to attract both domestic and international tourists. Specifically, the pledge includes developing the peace and ecological belt in the border areas between northern Gyeonggi Province and Gangwon Province, as well as the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The DMZ perimeter trail and eco-friendly cycling routes will be expanded, and a road cycling tour (tentative name) will be held. In addition, a cultural sunset tourism belt will be created along the west coast and in the Chungcheong and Honam regions, and tourism content allowing visitors to enjoy nature and historical sites will be developed. There are also plans to establish a 1,500-kilometer-long South Coast Blue Link Belt connecting Oryukdo in Busan and Ttangkkeut Village in Haenam, as well as to foster the 'Mountains of Seoul' tourism project.
The pledge also includes policies to develop tourism products utilizing K-content. The plan is to build performance venues with a capacity of 20,000 to 30,000 seats in each of the five major megacities. In addition, the Musical Industry will be explicitly designated as a content industry through amendments to the Content Industry Promotion Act, and support will be provided for discovering and producing original musical scenarios.
The pledge also covers the construction of tourism infrastructure such as transportation and accommodation. Connections between Incheon Airport and major regional hub airports will be strengthened, and the number of trains linking Seoul and the regions will be increased. Guesthouse facilities will be expanded, and a system will be established to legalize urban homestays for domestic travelers, making it easier for anyone to find affordable accommodation. Entry visas for foreign tourists will be simplified, and related systems will be improved to ensure high-quality service in the tourism industry and to minimize inconvenience during entry and departure procedures.
Kim stated, "Our country possesses natural beauty, history, and rich culture that surpass those of any other country in the world, yet the economic share of our tourism industry does not even reach the average of major OECD countries." He pledged, "I will elevate the tourism industry to a national strategic industry and transform every corner of the country into an attractive hot place through a national land overhaul."
After this announcement, Kim will focus on preparing for the third and final televised debate, without any separate regional campaign events. On the following day, the 28th, he will campaign in Jeju for the first time, and then tour the TK and PK regions to encourage conservative voter turnout.
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