American Couple Who Rescued Korean Tourists Trapped by Heavy Snow... Set Foot on Korean Soil

Domestic Tourism Scheduled for Ten Days from the 14th
Also Producing a Video Titled 'We Do Not Forget Han'

An American couple who rescued nine Korean tourists stranded by heavy snowfall during last year's Christmas holiday visited Korea on the 14th.

According to Yonhap News, the Campagna couple, Alexander and his spouse, entered Korea on the same day at the invitation of the Korea Tourism Organization. The couple met with Kim Jang-sil, president of the Korea Tourism Organization, at a Korean restaurant near Changdeokgung Palace in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

On the afternoon of the 14th, Kim Jang-sil, President of the Korea Tourism Organization (third from the left in the front row), the Campagna couple, and Koreans rescued from the heavy snow pose for a commemorative photo at the welcoming event.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Kim expressed gratitude to the Campagna couple. The couple also reunited with the tourists they had met during the heavy snowfall last year and took commemorative photos together.

The Campagna couple helped nine Korean tourists stranded by heavy snow on December 23, 2023 (local time). At that time, northwestern New York State was hit by a sudden snowstorm due to the influence of a cyclone.

The stranded tourists asked the Campagna couple to lend them shovels, and the couple willingly lent their home for two nights and three days, spending the Christmas holiday together.

The couple's home, with a deep knowledge of Korean cuisine, was already stocked with ingredients familiar to Koreans, such as soy sauce, red pepper powder, and cooking wine. They even held a Korean food party with the tourists. This story was reported by The New York Times (NYT) and became known in Korea as well.

The Campagna couple spending the holidays with Korean tourists trapped by heavy snowfall on December 23 last year [Image source=Facebook]

Subsequently, the Campagna couple received the 'Buffalo Blizzard Hero' medal from New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

The Korea Tourism Organization also decided to repay the Campagna couple who extended a helping hand to Korean nationals. For ten days starting from the 14th, the Campagna couple will experience K-culture in Korea, including Korean cooking classes and beauty programs. Additionally, a NYT reporter who first reported on the rescue of the Korean tourists last year will accompany the couple for coverage during their trip to Korea.

The Campagna couple's heartwarming story will also be produced into a Korean tourism promotional video titled "Korean Never Forgets."

Regarding this, President Kim said, "We express our gratitude to the Campagna couple who reached out to Koreans in a moment of crisis," adding, "We are pleased to hold such a meaningful invitation event this year, marking the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US alliance."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.