By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff

GOVERNOR Benigno R. Fitial is leaving the island for South Korea where he will meet with the executives of Kumho Group, Asiana Airlines’ parent company.
Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. said the governor referred to Asiana as a “good friend of the CNMI.”
Asiana recently bought the formerly Japanese-owned Saipan Laolao Bay Golf Resort.
“Asiana is a good friend of the CNMI. Not just in words but in action,” Reyes told Variety in an interview yesterday. “Asiana is committed to the CNMI. It will integrate transportation with the golf resort.”
Reyes said the governor was to go to Korea after meeting with the CNMI’s tourism industry partners in Japan.
“We’re hoping that we can get more investments from Korea,” he said.
Reyes said the meeting in South Korea will focus on how the CNMI government can help Kumho carry out the expensive expansion project at the golf resort, which was originally designed by Australian golfer Greg Norman.