First Lady Kim Yoon-ok (left) and figure skater Kim Yu-na pose
after the appointment ceremony at Cheong Wa Dae on Apr. 29.

 

First Lady Kim Yoon-ok (left) and figure skater Kim Yu-na pose after the appointment ceremony at Cheong Wa Dae on Apr. 29.World-famous figure skating sensation Kim Yu-na was named a tourism promotion ambassador Wednesday (Apr. 29), just a day after she was appointed a goodwill ambassador for PyeongChang''s bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics.

First Lady Kim Yook-ok appointed the world champion as the nation''s tourism promotion ambassador at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae, asking her to do her best in every competition, because the best way for her to promote Korea is to do well, which will contribute to boosting the country''s image.

With the appointment, Kim will serve as a tourism promotion ambassador as part of the government''s “Visit Korea Year 2010-12” plan, a three-year program aimed at attracting more than 10 million foreign visitors during the period, generating a million U.S. dollars.

The first lady is currently serving as honorary chairwoman for Visit Korea Year 2010-12.

The 19-year-old Kim grabbed her first world championship gold last month, becoming the first female skater to receive a score over 200 points. She scored a total of 207.71 points at the World Figure Skating Championship and won the first gold medal for Korea at this competition. Her next goal is to win a gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Kim will depart for Toronto, Canada, around May 10 to practice for the 2010 Winter Games, to be held in Vancouver.