I cover a wide range of stories about Korean society — one of the most dynamic places in the world. To me, journalism means being on the ground, uncovering untold stories and amplifying marginalized voices, especially in an era when AI is reshaping the media landscape. That’s why I’m always here to listen. Tips and stories are welcome — feel free to reach out via email. Before becoming a journalist, I traveled through 24 countries over 702 days, served two years as a military police officer in the Republic of Korea Air Force and later studied filmmaking at the Korea National University of Arts.
INTERVIEW From fields to fortune: Gangnam District marks five decades of change
Cho Sung-myung, mayor of Gangnam District. Courtesy of Gangnam District Office
By Park Ung
Gangnam mayor eyes global engagement through medical aid, cultural diplomacy
Fifty years ago, the newly established Gangnam District — today a major hub of Seoul’s economy and culture — was little more than open fields and farmland.
Now the district's mayor, Cho Sung-myung was once a local 18-year-old, growing up as the area around him was being reshaped into a bustling urban landscape.
Nearly five decades later, having witnessed Gangnam’s transformation firsthand, Cho takes pride in calling himself “a true Gangnam native” and is already looking ahead to what the next 50 years might bring.
“When Gangnam was first developed in the 1970s, the focus was on building as much housing as possible,” Cho said during an interview with The Korea Times. “Cultural, leisure and environmental values were overlooked, but today’s global trend emphasizes quality of life.”
Cho believes the district is ready for that shift, pointing to its expanding cultural offerings and growing role as a global medical hub.
The 2025 Gangnam Festival, now in its 14th year and featuring programs from music to fashion, highlights this shift. This year’s event to mark the district's 50th anniversary attracted roughly 910,000 participants online and offline.
People watch fireworks during the Yeongdong-daero K-pop Concert, part of this year’s Gangnam Festival, in Gangnam District, Seoul, Sept. 27. Courtesy of Gangnam District Office
“As someone who has lived here for nearly 50 years, I’m very proud of this outcome and see it as recognition of the district as a center of culture and tourism,” Cho said, referring to the festival’s success.
Efforts to boost the district’s cultural appeal also include programs that allow visitors to experience its character firsthand.
One example is "You N Every Experience in Gangnam," a walking tour leading visitors through the district’s major attractions — from historical sites like Bongeunsa Temple, a 1,200-year-old Buddhist temple located in the heart of the city, to the fashionable streets of Cheongdam-dong, known for its luxury boutiques and designer brands.
The district also operates Gangnam Art, a two-hour docent-led tour of local galleries that draws both longtime art lovers and newcomers.
“The strength of our experience-based programs is that they draw on the district’s cultural heritage, allowing residents and tourists to enjoy it together,” Cho said. “We aim to build sustainable tourism resources that provide distinctive experiences and strengthen the community.”
Visitors view artworks at a gallery in Gangnam District, Seoul, Sept. 3. Courtesy of Gangnam District Office
Alongside its cultural programs, the district has also become a hub for medical tourism, supported by leading hospitals and innovative initiatives.
Medical Gangnam, the nation’s first local government platform for medical tourism, offers users worldwide free consultations, cost estimates and discount coupons from partner hospitals.
The district also provides medical-assistance programs for people from countries such as Mongolia and Kazakhstan, where interest in advanced medical services is especially high.
Cho recalled a case that stayed with him: a Mongolian girl born without a fully-formed ear who received reconstructive surgery through a charity program.
“She used to hide her ear with her hair,” he said. “After the surgery, she said she wanted to become a doctor and return the kindness she received. It was deeply moving.”
Believing that the district’s future lies in global openness, Cho also focuses on supporting its foreign residents and helping local companies expand globally.
The Gangnam Global Village Center supports the district’s foreign residents with language classes, cultural programs and practical consultations. It also promotes exchanges through cooking events, and recently featured chefs from Peru and Nepal who prepared their traditional dishes together with local single-person households.
The district also supports local businesses as they enter overseas markets. In September, Cho traveled to Beijing and Shanghai with 10 small businesses, where they held more than 150 buyer meetings and now expect export deals worth about $132 million.
“Gangnam has more cosmetics companies than any other local district, many of them small firms struggling to reach overseas markets,” Cho said. “That’s why we felt the district had to step in.”
“We’ve expanded support for local beauty businesses to participate in trade fairs, helping Gangnam reach $1.18 billion in cosmetics exports last year — the highest among municipalities,” Cho added.