Traditional fireworks tours to draw 1,800 Japanese visitors to Andong, Haman
About 1,800 Japanese travelers are heading to Andong and Haman this month on specialized tours built around centuries-old flame festivals, marking a major government effort to drive foreign tourism into historic regions located 190 to 280 kilometers south of Seoul, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) said Friday. In Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, about 300 visitors will watch "Hahoe Seonyu Julbul Nori" on five dates through the end of October. In the tradition, which dates to the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), pouches of charcoal powder hung on ropes over the Nakdong River burn slowly, showering sparks onto the water at Hahoe Folk Village, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi watched the display in May during a summit with President Lee Jae Myung in Andong. The package, developed by the KTO's Japan offices and the Japan Association of Travel Agents, includes a dedicated viewing zone and traditional souvenirs. In Haman, South Gyeongsang Province, a record 1,500 Japanese tourists will attend a special "Haman