Seoul mayor sees GD as key partner

GUANGDONG’S Pearl River Delta cities, including Shenzhen, have been listed as key partners of Seoul, and cooperation in trade, tourism and information technology will be further strengthened in the future, Mayor Oh Se-hoon of Seoul, South Korea, said Sept. 25.

“Guangdong and Seoul will join hands to boost trade and investment by encouraging exchanges between enterprises, promoting tourism and sharing related experience,” Oh said in his office during an interview with Guangdong reporters, which was conducted a week ahead of Korean National Day.

Invited by Oh, a delegation comprised of 18 reporters from print and TV media in Guangdong took a weeklong tour of Seoul from Sept. 22-27.

“During my visit to three provinces in China in July this year, I realized that Guangdong would be the most important partner of Seoul for its booming economy and foreign trade,” Oh said. “The two regions have a lot of cooperation potential as the province has a fast-expanding market, a big manufacturing sector and abundant talent.”

The lawyer-turned-mayor became modest when he was told that Shenzhen had set goals to catch up with the advanced cities in Asia, including Seoul, Hong Kong and Singapore, to become the cleanest and most ecologically sound city on the mainland in its metropolitan drive.

“Actually there is a lot for us to share with and learn from Shenzhen, a booming city in China which has a similar population with Seoul, but has a better ecological environment,” Oh said.

“At the government level, we would like to share information with Shenzhen in some key aspects from innovation to urban management, environmental protection, pollution control and city transport system,” Oh said.

Shortly after he took office, Oh set goals to build Seoul into the cleanest and the most charming and comfortable city in the world for both the local and foreign population.

When Oh was sworn in as the fourth mayor elected by the general public in 2006, transforming Seoul into a human-oriented and environment-friendly city was his goal.

To build a charming and comfortable city, Oh started the Design Seoul program to redesign and renovate cultural and architectural facilities and further promote the rejuvenation projects of Cheong Gye Cheon, a stream running through the center of Seoul, and the Han River.

To build its international competitiveness, Seoul is endeavoring to develop its culture industries, which Oh thinks will be the rising industry in the 21st century.

“We are working on a package of plans to promote and improve the international brand of Seoul through promoting Korean movies, animation, TV and plays in China and Southeast Asian countries.

Born in 1961 in Seoul, Oh is the youngest mayor in the city’s history. He graduated from Daeil High School and went on to Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. He graduated from the law faculty of Korea University and became a lawyer.

In 2000 he became a congressman in the National Assembly of South Korea. He started his post as mayor of Seoul in July 2006.