Seoul in search of entrepreneurs for NK
Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, center right, holds a discussion with members of the Choson Exchange at Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore, Sunday. / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
Mayor discusses launching startup exchange program
By Kang Seung-woo
Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon hinted Sunday that he would push toward an inter-Korean startup exchange program.
The indication came after he met with a Singapore-based nongovernmental organization (NGO) known for helping North Koreans establish business, Monday.
“Under current circumstances, where an inter-Korean summit and a North Korea-U.S. one took place, the North is expected to pursue reform and open. I was impressed to see the Singaporean young NGO members enter Pyongyang and educate North Koreans about startup knowhow,” Park said in Singapore after a meeting with the Choson Exchange.
“It is very important to make such a Singaporean test happen in Korea and young men from the two Koreas visit each other's countries to set up and nurture startups, which could help build infrastructure of capitalism.”
Choson Exchange supports entrepreneurs and business-minded individuals in North Korea through workshops, internships, mentorships and scholarships inside and outside the totalitarian country.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, 1,300 North Koreans have participated in the NGO's programs.
The Choson Exchange's works were believed to have been one of the reasons why Singapore was chosen as the venue for the historic summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, according to the Washington Post.
At the meeting, Choson Exchange founder Geoffrey See told Park about the performance of North Korean startups and they discussed ways to strengthen mutual cooperation between Seoul and the NGO to support the startups.
The founder said North Korea is also interested in startup businesses such as retail, food and beverage and manufacturing businesses -- although they are at an early stage and need support regarding marketing and knowhow.
See added that Seoul has a wealth of knowhow in entrepreneurship and urban regeneration, proposing Seoul and Singapore launch a joint research project.
Park is now visiting Singapore to attend an award ceremony of the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize. Seoul is this year's winner of the biennial prize.
At the ceremony, Park received the award from Singapore's President Halimah Yacob on behalf of the city government, along with the prize money of 300,000 Singapore dollars (250 million won).
Launched in 2010, the award, named after Singapore's first prime minister, is an international award honoring outstanding achievements in the creation of livable, vibrant and sustainable urban communities around the world.
“It is a huge achievement by great Seoul citizens,” Park said.
“Seoul will cooperate with global cities to fulfill its responsibility as a global leading city.”
Seoul is the fifth recipient -- following Medellin in Colombia, Suzhou in China, Bilbao in Spain and New York City in the United States -- beating 28 other cities including Hamburg in Germany and Tokyo in Japan to grab the prize, according to the city government.