Saipan mayor’s office youth programs coordinator Jemalyn T. Tenorio, one of the escorts, said this year’s participants are students from Hopwood Junior High School, Marianas High School and Kagman High School.
Mayor Juan B. Tudela, who was also supposed to escort the students, has to remain here for the 2nd Annual Pacific Mayors Conference scheduled for May 14 to 17.
Joe Tenorio from the mayor’s office is the other escort of the students.
Jemalyn Tenorio said the students paid $300 each for their travel and the Saipan Junior Chamber International, the main sponsor of the program, will shoulder their other expenses.
The students will stay in Seoul for five days.
The group left Saipan at 3:20 p.m. and was scheduled to arrive at Incheon International Airport at 6:30 p.m.
From Incheon they will be transported to Bushan City.
They will visit the Ulsan Hyundai motor factory and then travel to Cheongiju.
On May 12, the group will visit the Air Force Academy, the Pocheon Jaycees, the Korea Culture Learning Center, the World Amusement Park in Pocheon City and Yangpyeong in Seoul.
In Seoul, the students will also visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace, and have lunch with the Seongdong Jaycees.
The students will have three hours to shop in Seoul on their departure day.
In an interview, the mayor said the students will meet prominent government officials in Seoul.
The annual event, he added, allows local students to learn more about the rich culture, traditions and history of Korea.
