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| Eighteen new recipients of Seoul honorary citizenship pose with Seoul Metropolitan Government's Administrative Deputy Mayor Kim Eui-seung during a ceremony at Seoul City Hall on Dec. 9, 2022 / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
By Ko Dong-hwan
The Seoul city government has begun its annual search for foreign residents who contribute to the development of the capital in various areas in order to bestow honorary citizenship upon them.
Starting today, the International Cooperation Division under the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Economic Policy Office, will receive recommendations for candidates. The window for Honorary Seoul Citizenship is open until July 6.
Foreign nationals who have lived in the city for three consecutive years or a cumulative total of five years, are eligible to for consideration. In addition, those who contributed to improving the international reputation of the city, raising the quality of life of Seoulites and playing a key role in boosting the city's economy or implementing advanced technologies or science for the improvement of the city are also eligible to enter.
The International Cooperation Division will select the pool of candidates and submit it to a special jury committee for recognition. The jurors include experts in city administration and diplomatic relations. Screened finalists will be shared with the Seoul City Council, where final winners will be decided by the council members. The award celebration will be held this coming November or December.
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| Aiyanyo Imatitikua from Nigeria, left, is awarded honorary Seoul citizenship by Seoul Metropolitan Government's Administrative Deputy Mayor Kim Eui-seung during the Seoul Honorary Citizenship Ceremony at Seoul City Hall, Dec. 9, 2022. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
The honored foreign residents are given various perks. They will earn opportunities to become an official member of city committees for special events or administrative decision-making occasions. Invitation to events organized by the city government as a guest is another benefit. They can also save on admission fees for Seoul Grand Park and Seoul Botanic Park as well as benefiting from admission discounts at the Seoul Museum of Art.
"There are many foreign residents in Seoul who consider the city as their second hometown and have been active so as to be a model not just for foreigners but also for local Koreans," said Kim Tae-gyun, head of the Economic Policy Office. "We sincerely hope there will be many recommendations for candidates who uplifted the city's global image higher."
Since 1958, 915 foreigners from 100 countries have been awarded honorary Seoul citizenship. State visitors and international envoys to the city were also awarded the honor by the city government. Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico Marcelo Luis Ebrard Casaubon, Hungarian Ambassador to Korea Csoma Mozes and Mexican Ambassador to Korea Bruno Figueroa Fischer were among the last year's honored dignitaries.
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