From National Vote to Real Destination: South Korea Launches '100X100' Campaign to Explore 10,000 Hidden Gems

Kim Sungmoon Reporter

kks081700@naver.com | 2026-09-03 07:58:32


The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, alongside the Korea Tourism Organization, launched a nationwide participatory campaign on September 1 to encourage citizens to visit and authenticate the country's top attractions chosen by the public. This initiative transforms a massive list of nearly 10,000 spots, gathered through a public vote involving approximately 40,000 participants, into active travel destinations rather than resting as a static directory.

Running through the month of September, the campaign features diverse interactive programs such as a stamp-breaking quest, a customized smartphone case decoration event, and a Chuseok-themed wish-granting interactive activity. The "Professional Wanderer's Stamp Breaking" program invites travelers to visit destinations across four distinct themes and submit verification photos. Participants become eligible for prize draws by visiting just one location. Simultaneously, the smartphone case decoration event lets users design virtual cases using photos taken at the certified spots, with physical custom cases awarded to fifty selected winners. During the Chuseok holiday period from September 21 to 30, a recommendation service named "Tell Me Your Wish" matches users with appropriate travel spots based on personal wishes entered into the platform.

The organizing bodies plan to expand these engagement programs through the end of the year by introducing pet-companion travel certifications and humorous moment photo festivals, alongside seasonal travel recommendations tailored for holidays and vacation seasons. All events are accessible through the official integrated website at www.spot100x100.kr.

Kim Seok, head of the domestic tourism division at the organization, stated that spontaneous visits to nearby attractions can provide fulfilling travel experiences without elaborate planning. He expressed anticipation that these seasonal reasons to explore domestic regions from September through the Chuseok holiday and year-end will inject renewed vitality into local communities.

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