Bahk Eun-ji has been with The Korea Times since 2012, building a career across multiple desks. She began at the Business Desk, where she conducted in-depth interviews with key figures in Korea's corporate world. Later, she moved to the Politics & City Desk, focusing on education policy and social affairs. She later served as team leader of the digital content team, leading curation efforts on the newspaper’s homepage and reshaping print stories for social media audiences to enhance digital reach. Now back on the Politics Desk, she covers the National Assembly and the Ministry of National Defense, with a renewed focus on political developments.
7 honorary ambassadors to promote Seoul's global appeal
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, fifth from left in the back row, joins newly appointed promotional ambassadors for a group photo during the 2025 Seoul Honorary Ambassador Appointment Ceremony at Seoul City Hall, Tuesday. They are K-pop boy band ENHYPEN, actor Kim Seok-hoon, YouTuber Park We and his wife, actress and singer Song Ji-eun, rookie girl group Hearts2Hearts, pianist Sunwoo Yekwon and broadcaster Um Ji-yoon. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
By Bahk Eun-ji
The Seoul Metropolitan Government appointed seven new promotional ambassadors on Tuesday from the entertainment, music and media sectors, in a bid to boost the city’s global brand and cultural outreach.
Those appointed include actor Kim Seok-hoon, YouTuber Park We, pianist Sunwoo Yekwon, actress and singer Song Ji-eun, broadcaster Um Ji-yeon, K-pop boy band ENHYPEN and rookie girl group Hearts2Hearts. The appointment ceremony took place in the multipurpose hall at Seoul City Hall, with all ambassadors in attendance.
The selected individuals, who are widely recognized as experts in their respective fields both domestically and internationally, are expected to use their influence to promote Seoul’s diverse cultural content and policy initiatives. According to city officials, the ambassadors will serve a two-year term and contribute to public campaigns spanning youth issues, welfare, tourism, the environment and the arts.
Having recently completed a world tour, ENHYPEN will now focus on promoting Seoul’s tourism and lifestyle to younger and overseas audiences. Meanwhile, Hearts2Hearts, a rising girl group, will promote the city’s fashion and beauty culture.
Actor Kim Seok-hoon, renowned for his emotional performances and documentary work, will promote campaigns focusing on environmental protection and elder care. YouTuber Park We, an advocate for disability rights, will draw attention to Seoul’s barrier-free infrastructure and inclusive initiatives, while Sunwoo Yekwon, a pianist and award-winning performer on the global stage, will convey the artistic depth of the city. Song Ji-eun and Um Ji-yoon are expected to lend their voices to policies affecting youth, daily life and culture, by engaging with the public via social media.
“By collaborating with prominent figures from various industries, we hope to present Seoul’s charm and creative energy to a wider audience,” a city official said. “Each ambassador brings unique insights that align with our vision of Seoul as a globally competitive and citizen-friendly city.”
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon expressed his gratitude to the newly appointed ambassadors.
“On behalf of our 10 million citizens, I would like to thank all of you shining stars in the fields of arts, broadcasting and entertainment for gladly accepting your roles as Seoul’s honorary ambassadors,” the mayor said. “I hope you will help make Seoul a city that everyone wants to visit, or even to live in — the very heart and capital of Korea.”
The promotional ambassador program aims to increase Seoul’s visibility and civic engagement by uniting public figures who actively promote the city’s identity and values. The new additions this year reflect the administration’s desire to reach a younger, more diverse global audience through popular culture and digital platforms.