Chinese youth delegation visits S. Korea for 1st time in 6 yrs for exchange program
A 53-member delegation arrived in South Korea on Monday for a six-day stay, during which they were to participate in various cultural exchange programs in Seoul and on the southern resort island of Jeju, according to the ministry.
It marks the first visit by a Chinese youth delegation since 2019, following a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The youth exchange program, co-hosted by the Korea Foundation and the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, resumed in 2024 after a five-year break due to the pandemic.
Last year, a South Korean delegation visited China as part of the exchange initiative.
"The promotion of cultural and people-to-people exchanges, as well as fostering mutual goodwill, is crucial in the relations between South Korea and China," Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Byung-won said during a welcoming ceremony.
Calling young people the "hope and future" of the relations of the two nations, Chung emphasized their role as a bridge for the development of bilateral ties.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
12 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Agoda Unveils Top Visa-Free Asian and European Destinations for South Korean Travelers
- Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand top the list in Asia, while Italy, Spain, and France lead the rankings in Europe SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With summer vacations in full swing and travelers looking ahead to the upcoming long Chuseok holiday, "visa-free travel" is gaining popularity for its convenience and simplicity. Digital travel platform Agoda has revealed a list of the top visa-free destinations in Asia and Europe where South Koreans can stay for over 30 days, based on accommodation searches on Agoda by South Korean travelers during the first five months of 2025. In Asia, Japan ranked first, driven by the continued weakening of the yen, geographic proximity, and expanded flight options. Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, and Taiwan followed to round out the top five, due to their affordability and accessibility via short-haul flights. Notably, China (+202%) and Kazakhstan (+187%) emerged as trending visa-free destinations in Asia exhibiting the highest growth in interest from South Korean travelers. The increase is attributed to China's newly implemented visa-free entry policy, which was implemented in November 2024. Meanwhile, interest in Central Asia is rising among travelers seeking lesser-known and unique destinations beyond the usual hotspots. In Europe, Italy topped the list, followed by Spain, France, Switzerland, and Germany. Italy's enduring appeal is attributed to its rich historical heritage and vibrant cultural scene. The destination captivates travelers with its breathtaking natural landscapes and diverse culinary experiences. Moreover, it continues to resonate with South Korean travelers, particularly for the chance to explore iconic filming locations from the beloved classic "Roman Holiday," a film cherished by many South Koreans. Jay Lee, Country Director, South Korea at Agoda, said, "As visa-free destinations continue to gain traction thanks to their accessibility and convenience, markets like China and those in Central Asia are emerging as new favorites alongside long-standing popular destinations such as Japan, Vietnam, and destinations in Europe. Agoda is thrilled to support more frictionless travel, making it easier for everyone to explore the world with great deals on accommodations, flights, and activities." With over 6 million holiday properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities available, Agoda makes it easy to plan the visa-free getaway. Visit or download the Agoda mobile app for the best deals.
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Korea Herald
UnionPay International Launches Exclusive Promotion with InterContinental Hotels Group for Global Visitors to China
SHANGHAI, Aug. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UnionPay International ("UPI" or "the Company"), a global leader in payment solutions, has announced an exclusive promotion in partnership with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) offering an instant discount of up to 15% in China for global UnionPay credit cardholders. A total of over 500 designated hotels in Chinese mainland that support UnionPay online payment are included in the offer, aimed at enhancing the travel payment experience for international UnionPay cardholders. InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is a globally leading international hotel management company with over 20 hotel brands. Its luxury and lifestyle hotel brands participating in this promotion include Six Senses Hotels, Resorts & Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, and Hotel Indigo. Premium hotel brands include Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels, and voco hotels. Mid-to-upscale brands include Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. In Chinese mainland IHG operates over 800 hotels, with more than 530 now supporting UnionPay online payments and participating in this promotion. Between June 10 and October 31, 2025, cardholders using UnionPay credit cards issued outside Chinese mainland can enjoy instant hotel discounts when booking eligible properties in Chinese mainland through the official InterContinental Hotels website or IHG One Rewards Mobile App, where UnionPay online payment is accepted at the checkout. Customers using UnionPay credit cards issued in South Korea or UnionPay SplendorPlus Credit Cards will receive 15% off, up to 400 RMB. Those using other UnionPay credit cards issued overseas will receive 10% off, up to 200 RMB. UnionPay's extensive network ensures wide coverage in China, with near-universal acceptance at ATMs and mainstream merchants. More than 200 million UnionPay cards have been issued in 83 countries and regions outside the Chinese mainland, allowing international visitors to benefit from real-time currency conversion without excessive fees. Many popular mobile wallets abroad support UnionPay QR codes, enabling hassle-free in-store payments—no additional apps required. Travelers can also link their overseas-issued UnionPay cards to Alipay or WeChat Pay, enjoying promotional discounts with zero extra fees. As part of its continued development, UnionPay introduced SplendorPlus, a new card product tailored to international visitors to China last year. The SplendorPlus card comes with a suite of core benefits, including domestic airport privileges, access to popular tourist attractions, cultural and artistic experiences, local culinary perks, and 1% cashback on spending in Chinese mainland. To date, UnionPay International has partnered with 56 institutions across 20 overseas markets to launch or sign agreements for the SplendorPlus program, covering over 10 million cards. About InterContinental Hotels Group InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is a globally leading international hotel management company with over 20 hotel brands, operating more than 6,000 hotels across 110 countries and regions. Its luxury and lifestyle hotel brands include Six Senses Hotels, Resorts & Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, and Hotel Indigo. Premium hotel brands include Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels, and voco hotels. Mid-to-upscale brands include Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. In Chinese mainland, IHG operates over 800 hotels, with more than 500 hotels now supporting UnionPay online payments and participating in the above promotion. About UnionPay International UnionPay International (UPI) is focused on the growth and support of UnionPay's global business. Working with over 2,600 partners worldwide, UPI enables card acceptance in 183 countries and regions with issuance in 84 countries and regions. UnionPay International provides high quality, cost effective and secure cross-border payment services to the world's largest cardholder base and ensures convenient local services to a growing number of global UnionPay cardholders and merchants.
Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Korea Herald
Korean Air partners with Ctrip to expand foothold in China
South Korea's leading air carrier, Korean Air, said Thursday that it signed a strategic partnership with Ctrip, China's largest online travel agency under Group, to strengthen its presence in the Chinese market. The agreement was signed Wednesday at Shanghai headquarters, with key executives from both companies in attendance. Through the partnership, Korean Air will operate an official flagship store on Ctrip's platform, co-develop exclusive travel packages and offer tailored promotions for corporate travelers. This collaboration aims to meet the rising travel demand from China and promote cultural exchange between Korea and China. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, 4.6 million Chinese tourists visited Korea last year, the highest figure among all nationalities. In the first half of this year alone, over 2.5 million Chinese tourists visited Korea, representing a 13.8 percent year-over-year increase. Korean Air currently operates 26 routes to 20 Chinese destinations, with over 200 weekly flights. 'We aim to strengthen Korean Air's position in the Chinese market in response to the recovering travel demand,' said Park Yo-han, Korean Air's regional director for China. 'By analyzing customer needs, we will provide more diverse and efficient services.'
