By Park Jung-youn

Kangwon Province is reviewing a plan to designate a nude beach on the east coast, an official said Thursday.

The province’s environment, tourism and culture bureau has been toying with different ideas for new tourist attractions, including a nude beach.

``We are going to conduct a series of surveys on tourists this summer about their opinions on a nude beach along the east coast,’’ provincial official Lee Myun-ki said.

``If tourists respond positively to the idea, we could go ahead with it, having a nude beach in Kangnung or Kosong, he added.

However, even if tourists were to approve the idea, the project may face many challenges along the way.

Residents and fishermen on the east coast are expected to protest strongly against it, citing the possibility of the beach creating an environment unsuitable for local adolescents.

More importantly, the nude beach may not draw as many visitors as expected.

``Nude beaches are a very radical idea for Koreans, and we are going to review it carefully, Lee said.

The survey will be conducted among visitors of east coast beaches and resort cities this summer.

If all goes well, the nude beach could open next year.

The plan is part of Kangwon Province’s efforts to attract more domestic and foreign tourists and maintain the ones it has.

With the opening of the highway and bullet train service along the west coast, the provincial office has been voicing concerns about losing its seasonal tourists to other costal areas.

``Kangwon Province wants to continue to be the most popular domestic tourist destination, Lee said.