By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

Seoul was designated as the ``World Design Capital (WDC) 2010'' by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design on the last day of its congress in San Francisco, Saturday, according to the city government Sunday.

The capital designation was proposed by the council President Peter Zec to ``promote and encourage the use of design to further the social, economic and cultural development of the world's cities.''

Torino of Italy was named the WDC pilot city, but Seoul was selected as the first official one. Seoul will play the role of the world's capital of design for one year.

A city official said that Seoul would be able to host various international meetings and events by taking advantage of the WDC position and that products made in Seoul would increase in value.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said in his acceptance speech, ``Design will be a driving force in developing Seoul's economy. Seoul has surprised the world with the `Miracle of the Han River' and great information technology, but will now attract the world's attention with design.''

He said Seoul would prove that design has the power to change the world.

City officials expect the city brand of Seoul to be enhanced, and the competitiveness of Korea's design industry to strengthen.

The city plans to sign a memorandum of agreement with the council about Seoul's rights and duties as the WDC by March next year, as well as promote related projects by organizing a WDC committee.

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr