Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said he will boost the nighttime economy under the ninth popularly elected administration starting next month. He said that is because the nighttime economy accounts for a large share of the urban economy. To that end, the city will solicit recommendations for "night markets" from the 25 Seoul districts and use them as nighttime economy hubs.
On the 24th, Oh said in a special lecture invited by the "Korea Future Innovation Forum," chaired by People Power Party lawmaker Kim Gi-hyeon, "Since COVID-19, a lifestyle of going home early after dinner has taken hold, and the nighttime economy is declining across the board."
Oh said, "The nighttime economy carries a very high weight in supporting the urban economy," and shared plans to revitalize the nighttime economy to strengthen Seoul's tourism competitiveness and energize neighborhood commercial districts.
First, starting in July, the city will introduce a Night Mayor system. A Night Mayor is a dedicated official for nightlife in charge of revitalizing the nighttime economy. Major global cities such as New York in the United States, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and London in the United Kingdom are already operating such positions.
Oh plans to create at least 25 nighttime economy hubs, one in each district. To that end, the city will invite recommendations for distinctive night markets from the 25 Seoul districts. The selected local night markets will link local commercial districts with cultural and tourism assets to spur nighttime spending and visits.
Oh said, "We need to increase nighttime attractions and points of interest so that tourists can spend time and spend money in Seoul after the evening."
Revitalizing the nighttime economy is also a strategy for Oh's push to leap into the world's top three cities. Oh said, "Since returning as Seoul mayor in 2021, Seoul's indices and rankings issued by various global evaluation agencies have consistently trended upward," adding, "There were policies grounded in sincerity, and because there were international evaluations showing those policies produced results, we were able to have confidence."
He went on, "We will raise Seoul's urban competitiveness index, currently sixth in the world, to fifth within this year, and leap to the world's No. 3 city by 2030."
Meanwhile, in the lecture, Oh cited the "Companion and Attractive Special City" policy as a key reason for victory in the June 3 local elections. He said that consistent pursuit of policies that deliver practical help to citizens, driven by sincerity, led to the choice of Seoul residents.
Oh said, "Each and every citizen likely judged that 'this policy helps me' and 'it helps my wallet and self-esteem,'" adding, "It was important that we went beyond efforts to communicate policies and delivered real results that gave citizens a sense of policy efficacy."