Top tourism officials from Korea and Japan have agreed to boost bilateral ties. The two sides are setting their sights on organizing events throughout the year to encourage more of their nationals to visit each other's country.

In Seoul, Korean Culture and Tourism Minister Kim Myung-gon and Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Tetsuzo Fuyushiba spoke of raising the number of tourists visiting each country.

Minister Kim said, "This year marks the 400th anniversary of the Chosun Tongsinsa Culture Exchange Association. So we plan a trip to Japan for the surviving relatives of Korean envoys who were sent to the association, along with holding other cultural exchanges. We will also invite a number of Japanese delegations to tour several Korean cities and carry out exchanges."

Both sides agreed on several issues such as expanding educational trips for students and boosting exchanges between provincial governments. Last month, Japan celebrated its two millionth Korean visitor, and this prompted Minister Fuyushiba to call a meeting. He says he wants friendlier relations with Korea.

"From the minister and the meeting, I felt the friendly relationship that our two countries have maintained,” the Japanese minister said. “I now strongly feel that we must further strengthen that relationship, and make it more specific."

The Japanese account for a large percentage of foreign visitors to Korea. The number of foreigners who came to Korea broke six million last year, and the Korea Tourism Organization has set a goal of seven million this year.

Tourism accounts for less than 7 percent of Korea's economy. But many experts say the local tourism industry is likely to grow in the coming decades if the country continues to promote itself to leisure and business travellers.