7월 방한 일본 관광객 19% 증가...한-일 어려운 시기지만 "교류에 영향주지 않아"

Despite the tensions between Seoul and Tokyo,... the number of visitors from Japan actually increased last month.
Yoon Jung-min has the details.
More visitors from Japan came to South Korea in July despite souring ties between Seoul and Tokyo.
Data from the Korea Tourism Organization shows that 1-point-5 million foreigners of all nationalities visited Korea last month, up 15 percent from a year earlier.
Tourists from China were the largest group with 520-thousand,... followed by Japan, Taiwan and the U.S.
Visitors from Japan increased 19 percent on-year to 275-thousand,... as people didn't seem too bothered by the politics between the two countries.
"This is just political issues. I think the Japanese citizens and the Koreans citizens never mind this situation. This is between the Korean government and Japanese government,... like the challenging the games. So it doesn't matter. We enjoy more sightseeing to Korea."
"I like visiting Korea. I also came here last July. Though there are various issues recently, people are very kind and they help me when I need help. I just enjoy the tour."
Another set of data by the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute found that young female visitors were the driving force behind the increase. It said 63 percent of Japanese tourists were female,... and the largest age group were tourists in their 20s due to an increasing popularity of K-pop and K-beauty.
"Many Japanese visitors to South Korea say, though it is a difficult time for both countries, people should continue cultural exchanges and tours.
Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News."