▲ Governor Won emphasized the province's anti-MERS measures at the Seoul Press Center. Photo courtesy Jeju Sori

Governor Won Hee-ryong held a special press conference with 30 journalists from Seoul Foreign Correspondents Club at the Seoul Press Center on Friday, July 17.

To assuage MERS fears in the tourism industry, Won emphasized the island’s virus-free status and spoke on Jeju tourism, renewable energy policy, conservation and peace initiatives.

The governor said that the island must go on the offensive and expand tour programs and cruise and airport infrastructure to overcome the MERS downturn.

Highlighting the island’s clean image, Won emphasized Jeju’s vision to be carbon-free by 2030 and to establish a certification center for electric vehicles.

As a designated peace island, Won added that Jeju should also take the lead in regional reconciliation including North-South dialogue and Japan-Korea relations.

Won announced his plans for Hallasan-Baekdusan co-ecology research, South-North tourism exchange and new cruise lines between the two countries. He also invited North Korean participants to the Jeju Forum and pledged to continue mandarin shipments to the North.

Responding to concerns around reckless development on the island, Won said he would promote content-driven and environmentally-friendly tourism to balance overheated property development.

The charm offensive continues alongside Seoul mayor Park Won-soon with a visit to China in August and then Japan.