What the Seoul government is looking for is PR and should say so.

No reputable publication would send a journalist here to accept an assignment knowing that travel and lodging costs would be paid for by the source. And, no publication *should* accept articles knowing that the objectivity has been so compromised.

It’s a little bit disheartening to see this, actually. Seoul is certainly worthy of international press attention, but blatant attempts to pay for coverage will tarnish its image among ethical journalists.

I heard the oil residue will remain for around two decades.

http://www.kois.go.kr/News/New.....0080205001

Boshintang–your comments are irrelevant to Robert’s posting. And Seoul Selection is organizing, not hosting the event. It’s a Seoul City-sponsored tour, and like all press trips, yes, they expect you to write nice things about them. And where you submit your article is entirely up to you.

Whether the Seoul City Gov’t actually compensates you for your literary prowess (or lack therof) is whole ‘nother project. They’re paying for your lodging and air transportation—not to mention meals and tours.

If you’re a media professional and don’t want to fly, stay, and eat in Korea for free, the answer’s simple. Don’t go. Really, you don’t have to.

And if you write an article post-press trip, you usually get compensated for it outside Korea. The whole point of going on a press tour is to come back and write about your destination in a publication with foreign readers with little knowledge of Korea, and not to have it published in a Korea-based publication.

As for the dearth of quality journalists in Korea, it takes one to know one.

That’s true, writing doesn’t pay well until you make it to the top. But at least in the US it still pays somewhat. I can’t imagine how beginning writers would get by in Korea.

The tour isn’t about actual journalism Exactly. That’s why I said it was about promoting tourism and promoting “sparkling.”

I smoked your mom.

Ha! Anton, good catch! (by the way, what country is “Anton” from?)

Isn’t that the whole point?

“Homo Hill — the Castro St. of Korea!”

“Insa-dong — the Left Bank of Seoul!”

Considering that Insa-dong is on the right bank of Seoul, it’d be a tad misleading doncha think?

Hmm, just stepped off the plane, eh?

Here’s another one for more pomo-minded travelers:

“Apkujong — the Rodeo Drive of the Rodeo Drive of Korea!”