WNAM REPORT: Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon hosted a gathering of over 80 diplomats, including ambassadors and embassy staff, Monday, to highlight the capital city’s safety and resilience amid the current political turmoil.
The event aimed to reassure foreign residents and representatives of the city’s stability and showcase its vibrancy. Among the attendees were 32 ambassadors from countries including the United Arab Emirates, Britain and Singapore, alongside representatives from 64 embassies.
“Seoul has continually advanced despite numerous challenges, achieving global recognition such as ranking sixth in urban competitiveness and first in comprehensive public sector integrity assessments,” Oh said. “This year, we aim to elevate Seoul into an even more dynamic and vibrant city.”
Oh stressed the resilience of Seoul’s citizens, noting their orderly response to societal challenges.
“Amid the current turbulence, I’ve witnessed seeds of hope in our citizens’ resilience. Based on this mature civic awareness, Seoul will continue to progress. Please have confidence and high expectations for our city’s potential,” he said.
The mayor also previewed several international events planned for Seoul in 2025, expressing his commitment to restoring the city to its full vitality.
“We will ensure that all foreign visitors to Seoul experience the city’s unique charms and dynamism to the fullest,” he said.
Eric Teo, Singapore’s ambassador to Korea, expressed gratitude for the initiative, noting the importance of communication during times of uncertainty.
“Amid political and social turbulence, Mayor Oh’s proactive engagement with the diplomatic community is greatly appreciated. I look forward to seeing Korea and its cities turn challenges into opportunities for further development,” Teo said.
“The messages from Mayor Oh, other Seoul officials and representatives from the business community were filled with common themes of hope and resilience,” Philippine Ambassador to Korea Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega said.
“The city capped a year of achievements and we in the international community look forward to continued collaboration with Seoul in building cities that are sustainable, efficient, human-centered, inclusive and innovative.”
The ambassador specifically welcomed Oh’s invitation for closer collaboration between Seoul and the global community, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts to shape cities that prioritize well-being and sustainable development.
Kazakh Ambassador to Korea Nurgali Arystanov also expressed gratitude to Oh for creating an environment conducive to the work of foreign diplomatic missions.
“Seoul has made significant strides in creating comfortable living conditions for foreign missions,” Arystanov said.
He praised the city’s commitment to fostering dialogue through events like Seoul Smart Life Week, which connects Seoul’s officials with embassies and international organizations. The ambassador also extended an invitation for Oh to revisit Kazakhstan, highlighting the growing ties and connectivity between the two nations.
Indian Ambassador to Korea Amit Kumar also recognized Oh’s vision for Seoul as a Global Top 5 City. Focusing on sectors like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, robotics and creative industries, Seoul’s initiatives emphasize eco-friendly and people-centered policies.
Kumar expressed enthusiasm about potential collaboration between India and Seoul in these cutting-edge sectors and voiced hope for Oh to visit India in the near future.
