A Korean Air plane wrapped with children’s drawing depicting the country’s cultural heritage began service Saturday to promote the 2010-2012 Visit Korea Year, the flag carrier said.

Two elementary school students who won first place in Korean Air’s third drawing contest had their painting wrapped around a Boeing 747-400 that operates between Gimpo and Busan.

Starting with the Gimpo-Busan route, the specially decorated aircraft will promote Korean culture abroad in international routes, Korean Air said. The two winners will be given a chance to visit the Boeing headquarters in Seattle, Korean Air said.

Korean Air had wrapped its aircraft with children’s paintings and images of cartoons and online games last year.

By Kim So-hyun  (sophie@heraldcorp.com)