Visit Korea Committee hosted the declaration event for '2016-2018, Visit Korea�Year' at Gyeongbokgung Heungnyemun Gate Plaza just last month where they crowned AOA's Seolhyun and actor Lee Min Ho as the honorary ambassadors of '2016-2018, the Year of Visiting Korea.'

According to the reports, the '2016-2018, Visit Korea Year' declaration event was successfully hosted, along with the thousands of�participants, including President Park Geun Hye, Minister of Culture and Sports Kim Jong Deok, Chairman�of Visit Korea Committee Park Sam-Gu, local government leaders, foreign Ambassadors to Korea from�many countries, workers of the tourism industry and foreign tourists.

After the declaration of '2016-2018, Visit Korea Year' by Chairman Park Sam Gu, congratulatory speech by�President Park Geun-Hye followed. Then, Minister of Culture and Sports Kim Jong-Deok appointed Lee�Min Ho, a K-Wave star, and Seolhyun of Idol Girl band AOA, as honorary ambassadors of '2016~2018,�the Year of Visiting Korea.'

After the appointment, smile national team composed of attendants, taxi drivers, and tourism police, representing the tourism industry, along with President and honorary�ambassadors, participated in the performance of declaration of '2016~2018, the Year of Visiting Korea.'�

Their ceremonies emphasized '2016-2018, Visit Korea year' and 'K Smile campaign,' a nationwide friendly�campaign. When the official event ended, 'A Special Open Concert for the year of Visiting Korea,' which included�K-Pop festival participants and teams, representing 12�countries, including Nigeria, China, Poland, and Australia, performed a two hour long performance for all to enjoy.

Chairman Park Sam-Gu asked earnestly "to welcome foreigners with warm smiles and kind and friendly�manners to create an image of Korea for a revisit, for the year of visiting Korea" through his�proclamation.

In the meantime, Visit Korea Committee announced the emblem and slogan of 'K Smile Campaign' along�with the emblem for '2016-2018, Visit Korea Year.'�Emblem for Visit Korea Year has a consistency by utilizing the awareness of campaign constructed from�

the emblem from '2010-2012, Visit Korea Year.'

The campaign message was�enhanced by simplifying the silhouette. In addition, K, which stands for Korea, was embodied in ribbon tie�shape, with the meaning of presenting Korea. The committee is planning to make use of K and link with�the major businesses of the committee, such as K-Pop Festival and K-Travel bus.

Moreover, the committee introduced the logo of 'K Smile Campaign' and the slogan, 'When Korea smiles,�the world smiles.' K Smile Campaign is a nationwide friendly campaign which aims to create Korea for a�revisit by welcoming foreign visitors with our kindness and smile.

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This campaign was implemented for�successful '2016-2018, Visit Korea Year' and '2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics' by promoting warm�reception through improvement of service education and preparation for reception, based on�

accommodation, transportation, food and shopping, and settling nationwide friendly culture down.

The committee announced 'K Smile Campaign' through online and offline media since 6th, by affiliating�with the declaration event. There are a number of ongoing events for both Koreans and foreigners on the�official website, and social media such as Facebook and Weibo.

Visit Korea Committee is planning various business promotions by accomplishing 20 million foreign�visitors and aiming for qualitative enhancement, under the vision of 'Korea for a revisit of foreigners,' using�this declaration event as a momentum.