Super Junior has been appointed promotional ambassadors for tourism to Korea, according to the boys' agency SM Entertainment on Tuesday.

SM said through a press release that the boys received their plaque of appointment at the headquarters for the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) today based on a survey showing they are the Hallyu star that foreigners want to travel with the most.

"Thank you for appointing us as PR ambassadors for Korea tourism and we'll do our best to make Korea well known," leader Lee Teuk was quoted as saying.

The same day, SM signed a memorandum of understanding with the KTO on the development of the entertainment industry and Korean tourism.

Accordingly, the two parties will cooperate on their expansion overseas as well as provide and share information and create a synergy effect regarding tourism and the Hallyu.

"Culture and tourism are closely related so with the two combined, I think a Hollywood could come about in Korea as well. We expect this MOU to help with various collaborations and industries featuring fashion, tourism and music," SM CEO Kim Young-min was quoted as saying.

SM, founded by former singer Lee Soo-man in 1995, is one of the most influential entertainment agencies in Korea alongside YG and JYP Entertainment, well known for raising popular singers that date back to the times of H.O.T. and S.E.S. in the late 90s.

Super Junior, often referred among fans as "SuJu" in short, made their debut in late 2005 as one of the most popular K-pop bands in the world.

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10 아시아 Jessica Kim 기자 jesskim@
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