The Seoul government announced on the 22nd that it has selected 16 people from 14 countries as '2024 honorary citizens of Seoul.'
Since 1958, the Seoul government has been awarding honorary citizenships to foreigners who serve as role models for Seoul citizens and residents, as well as distinguished visitors to the city. In 1999, the film actor Jackie Chan, and in 2002, the national football team coach Guus Hiddink were named honorary citizens of Seoul.
This year's 'honorary citizens of Seoul' were selected after candidates were recommended from May 31st to June 28th by various embassies, heads of public institutions and organizations, leaders of social organizations, and recommendations from more than 30 citizens. The selection was finalized following a review and the consent of the Seoul Metropolitan Council.
The selected 'honorary citizens of Seoul' will be invited to various major events organized by the city, gaining opportunities to experience Seoul's policy sites. They will also have the chance to participate directly in city governance as policy advisors in their respective fields of expertise.
Seoul city stated, 'The 16 honorary citizens of Seoul selected this time have made significant efforts to accompany the citizens and have been highly recommended by local communities for their dedication to helping foreign residents, who could easily feel marginalized, settle stably in their new environments. They have devoted their talents to the community in areas such as welfare, culture, economy, and environment, performing good deeds for their neighbors.'
Ruslan Kairambayev, an employee of the Kazakhstan Embassy, was selected as this year's honorary citizen of Seoul for his act of bravery in December last year, when he witnessed a car fire near Jangmun-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and rushed to extinguish it. Additionally, Bart van Glugten (Netherlands), who produced YouTube content while touring 467 districts of Seoul, Huang Kün (Taiwan), who has been reporting on Korean culture and overseas Chinese news for about 20 years as a correspondent, On Dang-jangyu (Taiwan), who has led various donation activities for vulnerable groups in Seoul through Seoul CNC Korea, Andres Albiol (Argentina-Spain), the first foreign engineer in Korea, and Heinrich Andreas (Germany), a researcher in the field of quantum coherence nanoscience who advanced the Quantum Nano Science Center (QNS) at the Institute for Basic Science in Seoul, were also named as this year's honorary citizens of Seoul.