▲ Prime Minister Kim Min-seok (2nd from R) speaks during an emergency economic headquarters meeting in Seoul on May 13, 2026. (Yonhap)

PM-domestic tourism

PM calls for measures to boost K-tourism

SEOUL, May 13 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Kim Min-seok called Wednesday for the government to look for various ways to boost domestic tourism so it can work as a growth engine for the economy, after data showed the country's travel account balance posted a surplus in March for the first time in 11 years.

Kim made the remark during an emergency economic headquarters meeting, citing reports that those going on domestic tours, rather than overseas trips, are on the rise at a time when the government is preparing to roll out a second round of cash aid later this month to help ease financial burdens arising from high oil prices.

"Starting May 18, fuel price relief funds will be paid to 70 percent of the population. We should make sure there will be no problem in the course of people applying for and using it," Kim said

"In this situation, in particular, there are reports that people are enjoying tours to local regions, rather than overseas trips," he said. "Our travel account balance recorded a surplus in March for the first time in 11 years and four months. We should study various measures to make K-tourism a growth engine, rather than a one-off phenomenon."

Kim also asked officials to put in extra efforts to stabilize prices.

"We need to put in our best efforts to manage prices," he said. "As there is upward pressure on overall prices according to rising crude and other prices, the finance ministry and other related agencies should closely monitor prices for petrochemical products, agricultural, fishery, food and other products closely related to people's daily lives, and come up with stabilization measures."

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