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Tag: South Korea

  • South Koreans Shift Travel Habits Amid High Inflation

    In the era of high inflation, significant changes in travel spending patterns have been observed in South Korea.

    An analysis of South Korean travelers’ search data from January 1 to September 30 revealed a growing trend toward cost-effective group travel, rather than solo trips. Additionally, instead of long-haul European vacations costing over 1 million KRW, there has been a notable shift towards more affordable trips to Japan and Southeast Asia, priced between 300,000 to 400,000 KRW. This “value-for-money” trend is becoming more prominent.

    The most notable change is the surge in searches for flights to Japan.

    Japan overwhelmingly ranked first, with search volume 2.7 times greater than that of Vietnam, which ranked second. There was particularly high demand for major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. Thanks to the continued weak yen and excellent accessibility, Japan has become a favored and affordable destination for South Korean travelers.

    Vietnam ranked second, with its low airfare and affordable local food and transportation costs allowing for budget-friendly trips. In particular, Da Nang has become a popular cost-effective vacation spot, offering a combination of beach resorts and the ancient town of Hoi An for around 300,000 KRW.

    In addition, demand for group travel has increased.

    Searches for flights for 3 or more people have risen by 77% compared to last year, and searches for flights for 2 people have increased by about 37%. Meanwhile, searches for solo flights have decreased by 11%, indicating a clear trend toward traveling with others rather than solo trips.

  • Busan Set to Achieve 3 Million Tourists, Thanks to APEC

    Busan is on track to become the first city in South Korea to reach 3 million foreign tourists in a single year. This shift in Korea’s tourism landscape, which was once centered around Seoul, is largely attributed to the APEC summit held in Gyeongju at the end of October. The summit wasn’t just another international event—it played a key role in creating a new tourism belt linking Busan and Gyeongju.

    Gyeongju Bulguksa Temple

    As of October 2025, the number of foreign tourists visiting Busan surpassed 2.35 million, setting a new record. The spending scale also grew by 33.2% compared to the previous year, reaching 6.594 trillion KRW. Notably, in October, the number of high-speed bus reservations for foreigners traveling between Busan and Gyeongju increased by 185% compared to the previous year. Most of these travelers were long-haul tourists from the US, Europe, and Australia, indicating a growing trend of “regional travel” connecting the two cities via Seoul.

    Busan Nurimaru APEC House

    Experts are predicting that “this APEC summit has successfully merged Busan’s K-culture with Gyeongju’s K-heritage, creating the ‘most Korean regional tourism route’ and leaving a lasting impression worldwide.” They also forecast that Busan’s goal of 3 million tourists will be easily achieved.

    Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan

    Furthermore, the successful “tourism alliance” between Gyeongju and Busan is seen as an important example of how international events in regions outside of Seoul can build a sustainable local tourism model.

  • Takaichi Aims to Strengthen Japan-Korea Ties: A Global Diplomatic Approach”

    Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae announced in her inaugural press conference that she aims to develop Japan’s relationship with South Korea in a forward-looking manner.

    According to NHK, Prime Minister Takaichi said during the press conference on the 21st, shortly after being elected, “South Korea is an important neighboring country for Japan and a necessary partner in responding to various global challenges.”

    She further emphasized, “I want to develop Japan-South Korea relations in a stable and future-oriented way, based on the relationship that has been built between previous administrations.”

    Additionally, she commented, “Although there are some concerns, I really like Korean seaweed, use Korean cosmetics, and watch Korean dramas.”

    Prime Minister Takaichi also discussed Japan’s foreign policy.

    She stressed the relationship between Japan and the United States, saying, “Japan is an important partner for the U.S. in both the China strategy and the Indo-Pacific strategy.”

    Further, she highlighted her goals for Japan’s role in global diplomacy, saying, “We will work on building trust with the leaders of each country and actively propose to ensure Japan plays a prominent role on the world stage.”

  • G-DRAGON Files Lawsuit Against Online Haters After 19 Years in K-pop

    G-DRAGON has officially taken legal action against individuals posting malicious comments and spreading false information — marking his first major legal move since debuting 19 years ago.

    His agency, Galaxy Corporation, announced on October 17 that it is “actively pursuing legal measures in cooperation with law firm Yulchon against defamation, false information, and malicious slander.”

    According to the company, by the end of September, it had conducted a thorough review of malicious posts based on fan reports and its own data collection. On October 15, several offenders were formally charged under South Korea’s Information and Communications Network Act (Defamation). The agency emphasized that the case focuses on “defamation through false information,” not simple insults, and that strict action is being taken to ensure criminal accountability.

    Galaxy Corporation also revealed plans to file additional complaints against commenters identified on major online platforms such as DC Inside, Daum Café, X (formerly Twitter), Naver, and FM Korea, reaffirming its firm stance.

    G-DRAGON’s representatives stated that this move “is not a warning but a concrete effort to protect the artist’s dignity and personal rights.” They also encouraged fans to continue reporting malicious activity, adding, “We will hold those who hide behind anonymity fully accountable for their actions.”