MAYOR HAHN VISITS SEOUL TO PUSH L.A. TOURISM.

Byline: Daily News

Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn announced a new initiative in Seoul on Sunday aimed at increasing tourism from Korea by 4 percent in 2003 to generate $7 million in revenue for Los Angeles.

``Los Angeles is proud to be home to the largest Korean population outside of Korea, and our city is rolling out the welcome mat in 2003 to help the Korean community celebrate the 100th anniversary of Korean immigration to the United States,'' said Hahn, who arrived in Korea on a 10-day trip to Asia with government and business leaders from Los Angeles.

To attract visitors, Hahn's office and LA Inc., the city's tourism promotion office, are launching a four-month promotional campaign next month.

With 205,000 visitors in 2002, Korea is the fastest growing nation in the world for leisure travel to Los Angeles, according to Los Angeles officials.

Hahn was joined by Korean soccer star Hong Myung Bo, who signed a contract this month with the Los Angeles Galaxy, becoming the first Korean to play with Major League Soccer.

``I'm excited to be going to Los Angeles to play in the United States,'' said Hong, a 33-year-old defender who won a Bronze Boot in the 2002 World Cup Finals. ``I hope my presence in L.A. will further promote a century-old friendship between Korea and the United States.''

Hahn's tourism package will highlight opportunities for Koreans to visit family and friends and participate in special events planned for throughout 2003.

Hahn plans to visit Seoul, Tokyo, the Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, and Taipei, Taiwan, on the Asian trip.

The mayor said he would focus on generating tourism and trade opportunities, as well as securing economic development agreements with government agencies, shipping firms and airlines.

The tourism industry provided jobs to 314,200 people in the Los Angeles area in 2001, according to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp.