With only 10 days left until the Korea-ASEAN Commemorative Summit in Busan, media from ASEAN countries were invited to the host city to take a look at some of the best-known tourists spots and how the city is preparing for the big event.
Lee Min-sun reports from Busan.
South Korea's port city and popular tourist destination Busan will be hosting the ASEAN-Korea Commemorative summit in just ten days.
While the city is preparing for the event, Busan Tourism Organization has invited a group of media from ASEAN countries to better introduce all the attractions of the host city.
40 media workers and social network influencers from 10 ASEAN countries came for a five-day media tour to see the preparations being made and to introduce places worth visiting to people back in their home countries.
"Gamcheon Culture Village is one of the must-see tourist spots in Busan. Its pastel-colored houses are built up the hillside like a staircase overlooking the sea."
The group toured through tiny alleys filled with murals and sculptures created by the village's residents. At a small museum, they also had a chance to understand the history of the town which transformed from a poor district of the city to a colorful tourism village.
"I love every attraction in Busan. It's managed really well. And all of the are beautiful. The scenery, the ocean, the harbor. Everything just looks really nice."
"I think Busan is a perfect blend of finding new activities but as well as being very safe for children. And I think that's very good for Bruneians to see."
While touring the city, the participants also expressed their expectations for the special summit.
"I hope that Korean investors investing more in Indonesia because my country needs more investors. And I hope the relationship between Indonesia and Korea is more romantic."
"ASEAN and the Republic of Korea will have such a great collaboration for this event. And honestly I think it’s going to promote lot of tourism specifically from ASEAN countries to Busan."
At Busan's Traditional Arts Center, the group also met with people who hold Busan's intangible cultural heritage. Through the meetings with the cultural heritage holders and their artwork, participants discovered the authentic culture and history of South Korea. The arts center displays drawings, kites, boats and seals created by 10 intangible cultural heritage holders.
One of the goals of the ASEAN-Korea Commemorative summit is to encourage people to meet people from each other's countries and the special media tour is already helping accelerate cultural exchanges between Korea and ASEAN.
Lee Min-sun Arirang News, Busan.