The changes that have been brought about by the growth of tourim in South Korea

Tourism in South Korea had affected the country in both positive and negative ways.

Positive:

Tourism have widen the perspective of the world in the Koreans and made them learn how to appreciate and understand the differences and uniqueness of different culture. After what had happed in the past between North Korea and South Korea, mutual understanding is very important and had been strengthened with other countries through cultural exchange. Locals are also able to get employed due to the construction of buildings and infrastructures to accommodate the increasing demand in tourism. The facilities built are not only for foreigners to use only, but also allows the local Koreans to benefit from it. For example, after the screening of Jewel in the Palace (Dae Jang Geum), a theme park based on the drama was built in Yangju. This enables the locals to use the theme park for leisure. Local culture are also revitalised as the tourist now visits Korea to experience its rich culture and heritage through the exposure of TV dramas. It stimulate the pride in the Koreans more as the Koreans always take pride in the own culture.

Negative:

On the other hand, tourism might cause the local community to lose its authenticity in culture. With reference to the Lotte world in Seoul, the increase in tourism level could be the reason why specialised food from all over South Korea be centralised in one commoditized traditional market. In addition, there were also too many influx of foreign culture featured in the festivals and parades held there. This might in converse, create interest in foreign cultures on the locals and lose their interest in preserving their own culture. Koreans will also need to fight for the usage of public facilities such as the folk museum when it was supposed to be built for the interest of the locals. With the new theme park based on the drama Jewel of the Palace, the cultures of Korea had been commercialized by grouping them up as a drama theme and present the culture to the tourists.

Hence, after analysing the impacts on how tourism can bring positive and negative impacts into the country, we can conclude that there is not one-side impacts but also has a opposite impact to balance off the changes.