Hollywood actress named South Korea's tourism promotion ambassador

By Kim Boram and Kim Ye Ran
SEOUL, Sept. 7 (Yonhap) -- Korean-American Hollywood actress and model Moon
Bloodgood was named an honorary ambassador by South Korea's tourism board Monday
as part of the country's bid to attract more foreign visitors.

"I cannot express enough what an honor this is. I am deeply, deeply proud of my
Korean heritage," said the actress, born to a Korean mother and a Dutch-Irish
American father, during an appointment ceremony at the Korea Tourism Organization
(KTO) in downtown Seoul.
The tourism board is headed by Lee Cham, a naturalized Korean citizen originally
from Germany.
Bloodgood, 34, arrived in Seoul Monday with her mother and sister for a week-long
trip. She is the first Hollywood celebrity tapped to promote South Korea's
tourism industry.
"I really want people in America to see not just a country I am proud of, not
just a country that has wonderful food, but that has people that have a strong
work ethic, a real connection to family, and a real respect for the elderly."
Bloodgood, formerly a professional cheerleader with the basketball club L.A.
Lakers, gained celebrity status after starring in the recent blockbuster
"Terminator: Salvation." She is also expected to land a role in a new work by
Steven Spielberg.
"I want people in my community in the States to see how great Seoul is, such an
exciting city. I think very few people know about it."
The KTO chief said it is hoped the actress will help improve South Korea's image
as a tourist destination and attract more travelers from North America.
"We expect she will introduce the beautiful nature and other tourism attractions
of South Korea," Lee said.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)