'Korea Lighthouse Week' to promote maritime tourism across country

The inaugural Korea Lighthouse Week aims to raise awareness about lighthouses and promote tourism through various programs and activities at 14 lighthouse sites across the peninsula.

Homigot Lighthouse in Pohang, North Gyeongsang [YONHAP]

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries are co-hosting the inaugural “Korea Lighthouse Week,” an attempt to raise awareness about the importance of lighthouses for maritime safety and their value as tourist attractions. The two ministries said the event commemorates World Lighthouse Day, which falls on July 1.

The first Korea Lighthouse Week will run from July 1 to 7, the Culture Ministry said Thursday. Various programs, which the Culture Ministry and Korea Tourism Organization created to promote tourism, will take place at 14 lighthouses across the peninsula as well as the National Lighthouse Museum in Pohang, North Gyeongsang.

Summer Lighthouse Marine School, which will educate interested participants about lighthouses, will take place on July 2 around lighthouses in Busan.

A photograph exhibition of different lighthouses will also be on display inside Incheon Port Passenger Terminal in Incheon, around Odongdo Lighthouse in Yeosu, South Jeolla, and Ganjeolgot Lighthouse in Ulsan during Lighthouse Week.

A lighthouse on Jeju's Iho Tewoo Beach is shaped like a pony. [YONHAP]

A lighthouse on Geomun Island in Yeosu, South Jeolla [JOONGANG ILBO]

Visitors can also participate in the “Lighthouse Stamp Tour,” through which they will collect stamps at each lighthouse site in Korea. A trekking program will also invite participants to walk on different sections of Dulle-gil near the lighthouses. Dulle-gil is a 4,500-kilometer (2,796-mile) walking trail that goes around the peninsula.

Participants can track their visits to the lighthouses and authenticate that they’ve completed the Dulle-gil through the mobile application Durunubi. The organizers said participants who have completed the “missions” will have a chance to win various prizes through a lottery.

A twin lighthouse in Busan's Cheongsapo [JOONGANG ILBO]

“We will continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to actively develop and promote content related to fishing villages and marine culture, enabling the public to enjoy diverse tourism experiences,” said Culture Minister Yu In-chon.

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]