KOREAN businessman Kim Hong Kyun is hoping to bring in 500,000 tourists from South Korea by the end of 2023.
According to the Marianas Visitors Authority, the CNMI received only 5,365 visitors in FY 2021 due to the Covid-19 restrictions, compared to 215,125 visitors in FY 2020 and 424,858 visitors in FY 2019.
In an interview on Thursday, Kim, who has been doing business in the CNMI for 25 years now, said he plans to launch a Korea Renaissance Project.
He said, through collaboration with government agencies, community groups and businesses in the CNMI, the project will involve various initiatives to entice travelers from South Korea.
Kim is the owner of P&A Corporation which operates an amusement park in San Antonio, Laundromats, Winners Hardware, retail stores, restaurants, and the USDA-certified slaughterhouse Marianas Meat in Lower Base. He is also the chairman of the Korean Cultural Center.
He has been involved in developing agriculture technology in the CNMI and is maintaining the flags and the memorial garden at the Atkins Kroll intersection in San Jose.
His company is also interested to be a concessionaire of Managaha.
Kim said he wants to help the CNMI revive its tourism industry, adding that he is confident that it will eventually recover.
Kim said he is currently inviting community groups and individuals to join him in his Korea Renaissance Project. He is likewise seeking the support of government agencies and businesses to make the project a successful one.
Korean businessman Kim Hong Kyun at the Korean Peace Memorial in Marpi during a memorial service in May 2022.
