Korea Daily Brief

Beaches across Korea are officially opening this summer, with schedules rolling out from early June through mid-July depending on the region. Jeju Island opens 12 beaches on June 24, while spots like Geoje in South Gyeongsang Province kick off July 4 with 17 beaches at once. Pet owners take note: Geoje's Myeongsa Beach is running a dog-friendly zone again, complete with dedicated shower facilities.

Indian actor Anushka Sen has finished filming 'Jeju Olle,' a romance movie set on Jeju Island that she's been working on since mid-April. The film stars her alongside Kang Hyung-seok and tells the story of a grieving singer who reconnects with music on the island. Producers plan to release it across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

South Korea launched a month-long discount program (June 15-July 14) for overseas tourists using intercity and express buses, partnering with Klook and Go Hanpass. The government wants to spread tourism beyond Seoul and make regional travel easier for visitors unfamiliar with local bus systems. Record numbers of foreign visitors this year have sparked the initiative.

South Korea is gearing up to host World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul next August, welcoming young Catholics from around the globe. First lady Kim Hea-kyung met with Catholic leaders in Rome to discuss preparations and emphasized the importance of making visitors feel at home. The event aims to bring together youth from different cultures to share values of peace, hope, and solidarity.

BTS held two concerts in Busan that attracted thousands of foreign fans, causing accommodation bookings in the city to jump 218% compared to last year. Beyond Seoul, other destinations like Gangwon Province and Jeju Island are also seeing major tourism growth. This shift shows foreign tourists are exploring Korea beyond the capital, boosted by events and social media trends.

Thousands of fans flooded Gwanghwamun Square on Friday morning to watch South Korea kick off its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against the Czech Republic at an unusual 11 a.m. start time. Office workers, students, families, and international supporters gathered around massive screens, creating a festive atmosphere complete with Red Devils drum performances. The crowd showed strong support for players like Oh Hyeon-gyu, with fans from around the world joining in to celebrate Korean football.