Culture Ministry launches Local100 project to promote places outside Seoul

Local100, a new project from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is the ministry's latest attempt to promote tourism outside of Seoul.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon, left, appoints Keykney, an illustrator, as the ministry's honorary ambassador. [NEW1]

Local100, a new project from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is the ministry's latest attempt to promote tourism outside of Seoul.

The ministry announced 58 places to visit in the country's other provinces and 40 programs to kick-start the project on Tuesday. It also named two master artists to represent their regions.

Local100 is a two-year project that will last until the end of next year, according to the ministry, in which the government will introduce Korea's hidden gems to boost their tourism. It will include a list of places to go and programs and festivals to attend, as well as master artists of cultural heritages in the provincial regions of Korea. The selections are made by the country’s 228 local governments and the ministry’s young advisory committee, consisting of those in their 20s and 30s.

“The key to developing areas outside the capital city is to show their own one-of-a-kind culture,” Yu In-chon, the newly appointed Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said.

Hahoe Folk Village, located in Andong, North Gyeongsang, and Sungsimdang, a bakery in Daejeon, are some of the 58 attractions that were selected.

The Jinju Nam River Lantern Festival, held every fall in Jinju, South Gyeongsang, is also included in the list. The festival and its lanterns, originating from the floating lanterns used during the 1592-1598 Imjin War, put Jinju on the map for its numerous lantern-themed programs.

Kim Jong-mun, a Daegu-based traditional drum craftsman, and Lee Hyo-seok, a writer, were chosen as the two master artists to represent their region and their craft. Kim is the only certified craftsman who uses traditional techniques to create a large drum with a diameter of over 60 centimeters (24 inches).

The culture minister added that the government hopes to see both Korean and foreign travelers get to know Korea’s beauty through the new project and visit provincial areas of Korea.

The Culture Ministry also named Keykney, an illustrator, as an honorary ambassador of the project the same day. Keykney is known for posting short cartoons based on Instagram users’ comments, mainly about daily life or travel.

Keykney agreed to draw web cartoons based on stories submitted by people who visit Hahoe Folk Village, Sungsimdang or Jinju Nam River Lantern Festival until Nov. 12. Three stories will be selected and made into cartoons, which will be posted on the ministry’s and Keykney’s Instagram account on Nov. 17.

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]