Seoul Metropolitan Government will offer 15 customized tours to 1,000 foreign tourists this year to promote various aspects of Korean culture. They will be tailored to the interests, age and nationality of the invited guests, the government said on Thursday.

According to several surveys, Europeans like to attend traditional embroidery or calligraphy classes, while Asians are more interested in new media, digital arts, and K-pop.

Some 22 American students from New York and Los Angeles will be the first to take part in one of programs. They will visit various points of interest such as Namsangol Hanok Village, Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeok Palace, the narrow streets of traditional houses in Bukchon, and Cheonggye Stream. They will also be offered lessons in Korea's national martial art of taekwondo and how to make kimchi.

Such tour programs promoting cultural aspects of Seoul began in 2008. Some 9,350 people, including international students, diplomats, exchange students and foreign journalists, have participated so far.