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On July 17, 1992, Viacao Aerea Sao Paulo Brazilian Airlines (VASP) became the first airline from South America to establish direct flights to Korea. According to VASP President in Korea Lee In-Jae, "Seoul is a trunkline for VASP." Korean operations are a major priority for this burgeoning airline, and the Seoul branch office is among the biggest and most important in VASP's global network. Based in Latin America's largest industrial center, Sao Paulo, VASP was naturally drawn to Korea as a country with strong economic growth and a strategic location in Asia. Currently, twice weekly flights carrying passengers and cargo connect Seoul with Sao Paulo via Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro.
Not only is VASP the first airline from the South American continent to establish direct service to Seoul, but after an Australian airline, VASP is only the second airline from the southern hemisphere to come here. As of yet, South America remains a little explored region for Koreans, despite the presence of 100,000 emigrant Koreans there. In its association with Transbrazil, another domestic airline, VASP...