President Lee Jae-myung expressed his appreciation for BTS's comeback concert held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul last weekend, stating it was "crucial for promoting Gwanghwamun and South Korea."
During a cabinet meeting at the Blue House on the morning of the 24th, President Lee, after receiving a report from Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young, remarked, "It seems to have played a significant role. Now, more tourists will likely visit Gwanghwamun."
President Lee commended the planning and execution of the event, saying, "The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and other related departments worked hard. The event concluded without any incidents, thanks to careful attention to safety issues."
Minister Choi reported, "The live broadcast drew the attention of young people worldwide to Gwanghwamun in the heart of Seoul, yielding immeasurable benefits for the national brand and the global spread of K-culture." President Lee responded, "It seems so."
Minister Choi further noted, "Compared to last year, the number of foreign tourists in March increased by about 31%, with a significant rise among teenagers and those in their twenties. The influx of foreign tourists due to the spread of K-culture is having a positive effect."
Regarding the number of attendees on the day of the event, which fell short of the initial estimate of 260,000, it was explained, "We predicted the maximum for safety management, but the actual number was lower."
Reporter Min-kyung Lee, TenAsia 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr