Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said on the 15th that he would boost the nighttime economy so that 30 million foreign tourists a year spend 3 million won per person and stay for at least seven days, making a leap to a "3377 tourism city" and elevating Seoul to a global G3 city.
On social media (SNS) that day, Mayor Oh posted an article titled "We will develop Seoul's night into a new 'economic gold mine'" and stated accordingly.
Mayor Oh said, "Right now, the sharpest cold wind in years is blowing through neighborhood commercial districts," and added, "If small business owners and the self-employed, who account for 30% of Seoul's employment and 90% of all businesses, falter, the very basic strength of the economy collapses. As we rapidly enter the age of AI (artificial intelligence), the number of quality jobs that young people can break into is steadily decreasing."
He continued, "Global cities found a breakthrough by 'revitalizing the nighttime economy.' Amsterdam, London, and Tokyo expanded the territory of the night economy to bolster urban competitiveness and create new jobs," adding, "In fact, cities that successfully established a nighttime economy saw their gross regional domestic product (GRDP) rise and youth jobs increase significantly."
Mayor Oh also said, "Taking note of this in the local elections, I pledged to 'revitalize Seoul's nighttime economy,'" adding, "If tourists only enjoy and spend during the day, that is only half a success. The other half can be won only when the night economy also breathes with life."
He went on, "The culture and tourism industries that will account for the remaining half have job inducement coefficients three to five times higher than manufacturing," adding, "Ultimately, the quality jobs newly created will go to our young people."
Mayor Oh said, "The nighttime economy is not mere 'entertainment' of eating and drinking at night," adding, "From discovering nighttime attractions in each of the 25 districts, to creating 'Dalbit Yajang' that breathes vitality into alleys, to late-night transportation, and even introducing a 'night mayor.' It is a comprehensive strategy that weaves content, commercial districts, transportation, and public safety into one."
He also stated, "By activating this powerful engine, we will usher in an era of 20 million foreign tourists by the end of this year, and further, by leaping to a '3377 tourism city' where 30 million people a year spend 3 million won per person and stay for at least seven days, we will elevate Seoul to a global G3 city."
Mayor Oh cited 'regulation' as the reason Seoul's nighttime economy had not been revitalized. He said, "As with uniform business hour restrictions or cumbersome outdoor business regulations, applying daytime standards to nighttime economic activity blocked the path to growth," adding, "Amsterdam, which first introduced a night mayor, grappled with similar issues. The first task for our nighttime economy revitalization will likewise be to boldly remove outdated regulations that block 'worldview expansion.'"
Mayor Oh said, "For at least the next six months, I will make revitalizing the nighttime economy the top priority of city administration and oversee it myself."