In the run-up to the G20 Seoul Summit, Korea IT Times interviewed Se-hoon Oh, Mayor of Seoul, to learn about Seoul's preparations for the G20 Summit and the expected outcome of the international gathering. Since the G20 Seoul Summit is the first to be held in an emerging market economy, there is no denying that it is of great significance to Korea, especially Seoul.
The G20 Summit is expected to serve as a forum for striking consensus on thorny issues as well as a golden opportunity for large-scale city marketing. Mayer Oh pinned high hopes on the G20 Summit and hoped each and every bead of sweat shed by those involved in the preparatory efforts to be rewarded with the G20 participants' having a favorable impression of Seoul.
Q: First of all, we would like to hear your personal thoughts about hosting the G20 Seoul Summit, which will be the first G20 Summit held in Asia.
A: For a start, I would like to offer a heart-felt welcome to the G20 heads of state and delegations who pay a visit to Seoul in the run-up to the G20 Summit.
Hosting of the G20 Summit itself has made us enormously proud but at the same time we felt a tremendous amount of responsibility fall on our shoulders. As you know, Seoul hasn't been at the center of world history. At best, Seoul were perceived as the capital of an emerging market economy and an emerging city that strenuously plays catch-up to stay abreast of global cities' economies and cultural trends.
However, with the hosting of the G20 Summit, Seoul will be remembered as the first Asian city who pulled off the G20 Summit and as the first G20 Summit venue outside the G7 member nations.
This is indeed an epoch-making event that would enhance Korea' standing on the international stage. As a matter of fact, if the G20 Summit ends successfully, the international standing of Seoul, no to mention that of Korea, will be appreciably elevated to a member of the developed world from one of the emerging market economies.
Yet the G20 Summit doesn't last long. To show as many things as possible in a short time, we have made all-out efforts. So I hope you achieve tangible results during the G20 Summit, enjoy the unique beauty of Seoul and leave with lasting memories of Seoul.
Q: Is holding the G20 Summit of great significance to Seoul
A: The G20 Seoul Summit will serve as a golden opportunity for massive city marketing: the unique beauty of Seoul will be introduced to the world, and more foreign visitors, creation of jobs and huge economic value and reinforced national competitiveness are among the expected outcome.
This is because the G20 Summit participants are global heavyweights who set global economic trends and grab the headlines of international media. In fact, when the guests return to their nations after the G20 Summit, they will happen to talk about Seoul through various channels, thereby spreading word of mouth. Such comment s made by the world highest-ranking figures will determine the images and impression of Seoul in the end. In other words, Seoul will leave certain impressions on the first-time visitors to Seoul. And their memories of Seoul will have negatively or positively affect Seoul-bound investments and the number of foreign visitors to Seoul.
In that sense, to introduce Seoul's unique appeal, Seoul Metropolitan Government and the central government have joined forces to craft a variety of programs.
If G20 participants leave Seoul with the impression that Seoul is a kind, clean city who loves art and culture and let the rest of the world remember Seoul that way, each and every bead of sweat we shed for the past several months will be justly rewarded.
Q: As you mentioned, the G20 Summit is a great opportunity to make Seoul better known to the rest of the world. What kind of images do you hope to come up first when many foreign visitors think of Seoul
A: I think Seoul' strengths lie with the convergence of daily life and state-of-the-art IT. As such, Seoul's IT, I am sure, is second to none in the world. For example, foreign visitor are often bowled over by the mixture of daily life and cutting-edge IT: Korean commuters google what they want to know, watch TV, surf the Internet and even shop online in buses or subways. There is more than this. Seoul's entire administrative processes are open to anyone through IT. Besides, the online governance program "oasis.seoul.go.kr" paves the way for people to participate in Seoul Metropolitan Government's administration.
In other words, IT has realized transparent administration and open administration, which are the ideal models of the 21st century. Seoul's pioneering technology is truly worthy of your attention.
What's more, Seoul boasts of natural beauty: the Han River runs through the center of the city and there are 20 streams and beautiful mountains surrounding Seoul. So Moreover, Seoul' history dates back 600 years. Seoul's time-honored, rich history will greatly appeal to foreign visitors. In addition, a multitude of cultural events, slated to be held during the G20 Summit, will clearly show that Seoul is a fun-loving, highly cultured artistic city.
On top of that, Seoul was named a UNESCO City of Design. As you know, UNESCO doesn't randomly pick a city and designate it as a UNESCO City of Design. Selecting Seoul as a UNESCO City of Design, UNESCO said, "Seoul has ample cultural design assets and is determined to implement a strong design policy. Seoul's prowess in design has a high possibility of contributing to the global economy and less aesthetically beautiful cities can take their cues from Seoul."
Therefore, Seoul's history, traditional culture, natural resources, world-class IT and UNESCO-approved designs will be main themes of the press tours and ten experience tours. Such programs are designed to help visitors see, hear, feel the true aspects of Seoul and know why UNESCO named Seoul as a UNESCO City of Design.
Q: Last but not least, please name a few tourist spots you strongly recommend to foreign visitor to Seoul.
A: There are so many. But since you can't see all of them, I guess I have to narrow them down to two attractions: one is Gwanghwamun Plaza, downtown Seoul, and the other is the Han River Noeul Park.
For starters, Gwanghwamun Plaza will best showcase how IT and Seoul's rich history and the beautiful scenery blend together. Once you go to Gwanghwamun Plaza, you will find plenty of historical assets. Among them are underground exhibition halls called the Story of King Sejong and the Story of Chungmugong, in which the convergence of Seoul's 600-year-old history and IT shows you a new type of storytelling. And when you stand at the center of Gwanghwamun Plaza facing the statue of King Sejong, you will have a panoramic view of the King Sejong statue, Gwanghwamun (the main gate to Gyeongbokgung Palace) and Mt. Bukak. The panoramic, scenic view will be inscribed in your mind for a long time.
The other is the Han River Noeul Park. Seeing the Han River being painted in red at dusk is a jaw dropping experience. More surprising is that the beautifully landscaped Han River Noeul Park used to be a landfill. The landfill-turned eco-friendly park is frequented by thousands of visitors on weekends. The Noeul Park is excellent ecologically and goes well with the Han River, which is Seoul's pride.
When you visit the Noeul Park, make sure you imagine its before looks and compare them with its after looks. There is a plethora of tourist attractions out there. But considering your hectic schedule, I hope you indulge in the true beauty of Seoul on your second visit to Korea.
