Seoul Institute's 34th anniversary seminar explores city's future competitiveness
Participants share 'Fun City Seoul' vision and push for top-three global city status
'Fun Station' project and night economy initiatives aim to energize daily urban life
Lee Jun-hyung, chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council's Planning and Economy Committee (Democratic Party of Korea, Gangdong District 3), attended the Seoul Institute's 34th anniversary seminar Thursday at Community House Masil in Myeong-dong, Seoul, where he called for strengthening the city's global competitiveness and advancing citizen-centered urban policy.
The Seoul Institute, a policy research body established by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in October 1992, conducts research and develops policy solutions to urban challenges. This year's anniversary seminar was held under the theme "Fun City Seoul: A City Citizens Enjoy, A City Everyone Wants to Stay In."
In his congratulatory address, Lee cited Seoul's rising global profile on the back of the worldwide spread of K-culture and said extending the city's tourism and cultural appeal into residents' everyday lives was a policy priority.
"Seoul is now drawing attention as a city the world wants to visit, driven by K-culture," he said. "The city is pursuing initiatives such as the Fun Station project, which transforms subway stations into cultural and leisure spaces, and a night economy revitalization program that lets citizens enjoy the city's energy after dark."
He added that the seminar would serve as a meaningful opportunity for Seoul to advance toward becoming one of the world's top three cities, and said policy research that raises both the city's appeal and residents' quality of life was essential.
Lee also pledged the council's support for the effort. "As chairman of the Planning and Economy Committee, I will work alongside the Seoul Institute and the Seoul Metropolitan Government to think through citizen-centered policies together and help move them in a more forward-looking direction," he said.
Beyond tourist spots: seminar seeks a Seoul 'fun city' for everyday neighborhoods
The seminar featured research presentations on extending urban enjoyment beyond specific tourist attractions and commercial districts into the everyday neighborhoods where residents live.
Researcher Shin Ga-hee presented "Seoul as a City to Savor: Revisiting the Fun City Concept," examining the relationship between urban enjoyment and citizens' lived experiences. Researcher Lim Ha-na presented "Beyond Hot Spots, Into Daily Life: A Spatial Strategy for Fun City Seoul," outlining ways to enhance the city's appeal within ordinary residential spaces.
Researcher Choi Bom-i addressed the importance of creating an environment where all residents can access the city's cultural and leisure resources, presenting under the theme "Fun for Everyone: How Seoul's Enjoyment Can Reach You."
The panel discussion that followed was moderated by Mo Jong-rin, a professor at Yonsei University, and included Ra Do-sam, an honorary research fellow at the Seoul Institute, Chung Soon-dool, a professor at Ewha Womans University, and Choi Hyun-hee, chief executive of Aevic Partners.
Discussions centered on the concept of "Funability" — combining urban enjoyment with accessibility — as panelists debated the conditions needed to realize a Seoul-style fun city. A key agenda item was spatial strategy for reducing gaps in urban experience caused by differences in age, household composition and income level, and for spreading cultural and leisure opportunities throughout residential areas.
The seminar was notable for sharing the policy challenges involved in shifting Seoul's urban appeal from a tourism-industry focus toward the everyday experiences of its residents, and in building a city that everyone can enjoy.
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