The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Dec. 13 released its list of this year's "Korean Tourism Star" awards. Shown is a night view of Donggung Palace and the artificial Wolji Pond in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. (Gyeongju City Hall)

By Yoo Yeon Gyeong

This year's "Korean Tourism Stars" announced on Dec. 13 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism include sites in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province like Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond in Gyeongju and the steel path Space Walk in Pohang.  

Marking its 13th year, the awards select and honor tourism resources, organizations and individuals among candidates recommended by people, local governments and experts that contribute to domestic tourism development in a given year.

By category, Daereungwon, Donggung and Wolji were collectively selected as the year's top tourism site. About 40,000 people daily visit the massive complex of 30 tombs given its status as an iconic remnant from the Silla Kingdom, which boasts a millennium of history. The palace and the pond, just a 10-minute walk from the complex, are part of a site of a detached Silla royal palace and the best spot for a night view of Gyeongju.

Space Walk in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, is a new addition to this year's "Korea Tourism Stars" awards as a rising tourism spot. (Pohang City Hall)

Built in November 2021, Space Walk in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, was the top new tourism spot in the country. Shaped like a rollercoaster, this steel walking trail offers a 360-degree panoramic view ranging from a spectacular vista of Yeongilman Bay to that of the nation's top steelmaker POSCO. 

Space Walk received praise for presenting a new appeal where steel and the light of the sea coexist while preserving the regional character of Pohang, the country's steelmaking hub.

Actor Lee Jung-jae, who plays the protagonist in the smash Netflix series "Squid Game" and serves as a promotional ambassador of the tourism campaign Visit Korea Year 2023-24, was named this year's No. 1 "contributor to tourism development." He stars in promotional videos of domestic tourism released in June that have racked up a cumulative 530 million views, greatly boosting the promotion of tourism in Korea around the world.

The award for top barrier-free tourism site went to Balwangsan Mountain's Thousand-Year Spreading Yew Forest Path in Pyeongchang-gun County, Gangwon-do Province, and Imsil Cheese Theme Park in Imsil-gun County, Jeollabuk-do Province, was named the year's best sustainable tourism program. 

Other winners included Gangjin Culture and Tourism Foundation for best tourism organization or business; the campaign "Play, Work, Live, Busan" for best tourism brand marketing; and the KBS documentary program "A Walk Around the Neighborhood" for best broadcast media. 

Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jang Miran said, "We will open a regional tourism era through well-kept regional tourism sites and programs developed through the dedication of provincial residents and various stakeholders and strive to attract more visitors from around the globe."

This is a winter view of Thousand-Year Spreading Yew Forest Path on Balwangsan Mountain in Pyeongchang-gun County, Gangwon-do Province, this year's top barrier-free tourism spot in the country. (Pyeongchang-gun County Office)