{
  "id": 15999658,
  "title": "KTO, Kakao offer prizes for check-ins at 33 autumn destinations",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/kto-kakao-offer-prizes-for-check-ins-at-33-autumn-destinations",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-22T04:52:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/travel-food/20261022/kto-kakao-offer-prizes-for-check-ins-at-33-autumn-destinations"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and messaging app Kakao are running a contest through November 22 to incentivize domestic travel during Korea's autumn season. The KTO, a state-run organization, collaborated with Kakao, the parent company of KakaoTalk, the leading messaging service in South Korea, to promote travel within the country. This initiative is part of the \"Travel Month\" campaign, a bi-annual effort by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the KTO, which offers discounts on various travel-related services.\n\nThe contest involves visiting one of 33 autumn destinations selected by the KTO. Upon arriving at any of these locations, travelers need to locate a Choonsik standee, a popular character from KakaoFriends, a digital game by Kakao. Once the character is found, travelers must scan its QR code using KakaoTalk's digital authentication service, Talk Digital Card. After verifying their visit, participants are required to share their experience on KakaoTalk to enter the contest. The promotion will run until November 22, encouraging domestic tourism and supporting local economies during the autumn season.",
  "summary": "Travelers who visit any of the 33 autumn destinations across Korea chosen by the state-run Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and check in through KakaoTalk can win prizes in a promotion running through Nov. 22, the organization said Thursday. The KTO is running the event with Kakao, which operates KakaoTalk, Korea’s dominant messaging app. The aim is to encourage domestic travel and support local…",
  "key_points": [
    "Korea Tourism Organization and Kakao launch contest through November 22",
    "Participants visit 33 autumn destinations and find Choonsik stands",
    "Winners receive prizes by sharing experiences on KakaoTalk"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Leveraging popular digital characters and messaging technology turns routine sightseeing into a gamified experience designed to boost domestic tourism and provide much-needed economic support to local seasonal destinations.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "KTO, Kakao offer prizes for check-ins at 33 autumn destinations",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/kto-kakao-offer-prizes-for-check-ins-at-33-autumn-destinations-16003345",
        "published": "2026-10-22T05:37:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}