CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS Article 1 (Purpose) The purpose of this Ordinance shall be to prescribe matters necessary for the promotion of international exchange and cooperation for Seoul Metropolitan City (hereinafter referred to as the "City") to become a city with international competitiveness through active exchange with foreign cities.

Article 2 (Definitions) The terms used in this Ordinance are defined as follows:
1. The term "international exchange and cooperation" refers to all processes that improve mutual understanding by exchanging not only property and human resources but also culture, system, policy, knowledge, information, etc. in various forms to promote friendship, cooperation, understanding, etc. on equal partnership.
2. The term "international organization" refers to the following: UN and its affiliated organizations and professional organizations; quasi-inter government organizations including inter-government organizations; international NGOs; and international foundations, laboratories, non-profit organizations, councils.
3. The term "sharing of City's excellent policy with foreign cities" means to share the City's excellent policy, experience, etc. with foreign cities in the form of policy consultation, technology transfer, project participation, etc. and find a way to coexist and develop with foreign cities.

Article 3 (Scope) Except in cases specifically prescribed by relevant ordinances concerning the promotion of international exchange and cooperation, what is prescribed by this Ordinance shall be followed.

Article 4 (Duties of the City) The Mayor shall promote the relevant policy and project so that the City can reinforce its competitiveness through active international exchange and cooperation with foreign cities.

CHAPTER II CONCLUSION OF FRIENDLY RELATIONS <Amended on Dec. 31, 2020> Article 5 (Friendly Relations, etc.) (1) The Mayor may establish a friendly relations or enter into a friendly cooperation agreement with a foreign city so as to promote international exchange and cooperation. <Amended on Dec. 31, 2020>
(2) Friendship cities and friendly cooperation cities shall be selected among cities where continuous exchange and mutual understanding can be promoted. <Amended on Dec. 31, 2020>
[Title Amended on Dec. 31, 2020]

Article 6 (Proposal for Friendly Relations) (1) If the Mayor receives a proposal (i.e. for friendly relations) from a foreign city, he/she shall acquire a wide range of basic data on the pertinent city and review its administrative scale, urban conditions, appropriateness of exchanges, and other necessary matters prior to making a decision. <Amended on Dec. 31, 2020>
(2) If the Mayor intends to propose the conclusion of an agreement (i.e. for friendly relations), it is necessary to collect and analyze a vast array of data on the pertinent city and review exchange conditions prior to making a decision. <Amended on Dec. 31, 2020>
(3) When reviewing details such as exchange conditions for friendly relationships, it is necessary to take note of the following: <Amended on Dec. 31, 2019; Dec. 31, 2020; Mar. 25, 2021>
1. Similarity with Seoul's international status as the capital or a city equivalent thereto;
2. Similarity in urban conditions, such as area, population, and administrative/financial level;
3. Shared features and complementary roles in terms of industry, distinctive urban characteristics, etc.;
4. Possibility to promote cooperation and friendship on an equal footing;
5. Need for exchanges on account of historical and cultural backgrounds or special geographical conditions; and
6. Other benefits and sustainability achievable through exchange.
[Title Amended on Dec. 31, 2020]

Article 7 (Resolution on Friendly Relations) Where the Mayor intends to enter into an agreement of friendly relations with a foreign city, he/she shall undergo the resolution of the city council under Article 47 of the Local Autonomy Act. <Amended on Dec. 31, 2020; Sep. 30, 2021>
[Title Amended on Dec. 31, 2020]

Article 8 (Substantialization of Exchange Projects) The Mayor shall endeavor to ensure that exchanges with friendly cities and friendly cooperation cities contribute in substance towards the city across all fields, such as its globalization, urban economy, culture, etc. <Amended on Dec. 31, 2020>

Article 9 (Retention and Management of Records) The Mayor shall organize, maintain, and manage all records pertaining to the promotion of friendly relations. <Amended on Dec. 31, 2020>

Article 10 (Revocation of Friendships) The Mayor shall undergo a resolution by the city council where there arises a problem that is difficult to address between the two cities, where the friendly relationship becomes ineffective because ties are cut, or the continuous exchange between the two cities is deemed no good. <Amended on Dec. 31, 2020>

CHAPTER III PROMOTION OF PROJECTS TO IMPROVE SUBSTANTIAL EXCHANGE AND COOPERATION WITH FOREIGN CITIES Article 11 (Conferring of Honorary Citizenship) The Mayor may confer honorary Seoul citizenship to foreign guests visiting the City or foreigners who substantially contribute to the improvement of international exchange and cooperation and friendship with foreign cities.

Article 12 (Operation of Foreign Correspondents) The Mayor may operate foreign correspondents to collect use policy cases of foreign cities, use them for the municipal administration of the City, and promote the City overseas.

Article 13 (Operation of City Day) The Mayor may designate "City Day" from time to time and hold the following events to improve friendship with friendship cities, friendly cooperation cities, etc. and promote communication with foreigners residing in the City: <Amended on Dec. 31, 2019; Dec. 31, 2020>
1. Ceremony and cultural, artistic, and athletic events;
2. Events for foreigners from foreign cities; and
3. Other events to improve international exchange and cooperation with friendly cities.

Article 14 (Improvement of Substantial Exchange and Cooperation with Foreign Cities) The Mayor may implement, in cooperation with foreign cities, projects providing various incentives, such as discount of lodging expenses, admission to tourist destinations, cultural facilities, etc. for exchange and cooperation substantially contributing to citizens and businesses in cities.

CHAPTER IV ATTRACTION OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Article 15 (Foundation to Attract International Organizations) The Mayor may implement the following projects to lay a foundation to attract international organizations:
1. Investigation and research for international cooperation related to international organizations;
2. International exchange of professionals and information to attract international organizations;
3. Education and training to nurture professionals for international organizations; or
4. Other projects recognized as necessary to lay a foundation to attract international organizations.

Article 16 (Scope of Support to Attract International Organizations) The Mayor may support the following for activities to efficiently attract international organizations and the stable operation of international organizations whose attraction is determined: <Amended on Dec. 31, 2019>
1. Domestic and foreign promotions to attract the relevant international organizations;
2. Provision of materials as to the relevant international organizations;
3. Administrative and financial supports for the opening and operation of international organizations;
4. Joint cooperative projects with international organizations; or
5. Other matters that the Mayor recognizes as necessary to attract or operate international organizations.

Article 17 (Installation of Facilities Supporting International Organizations) (1) The Mayor shall operate the Seoul Global Center as a facility that supports the laying of a foundation to attract and soundly operate international organizations (hereinafter referred to as the "International Organization Support Facility").
(2) The Mayor shall endeavor to attract international organizations on a preferential basis in the International Organization Support Facility, such as the Seoul Global Center.
(3) If required, the Mayor may delegate or consign all or part of the affairs concerning the management and operation of the International Organization Support Facility with corporations, organizations, institutions, etc.
(4) Matters concerning procedures, method, etc. necessary for consigning affairs under paragraph (3) above shall be governed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Private Consignment of Administrative Affairs.
(5) The Mayor may permit to rent a part of the International Organization Support Facility within a scope not causing inconvenience in the operation and management of the International Organization Support Facility; the fees shall be as stipulated by the Attached Table.
(6) Notwithstanding paragraph (5) above, the Mayor may exempt the fees in the following cases:
1. Where it is permitted to be used by organizations and institutions in the Seoul Global Center;
2. Where the Mayor recognizes as an event suitable for the International Organization Support Facility; or
3. Where the Mayor recognizes as an event held or hosted by the City.

CHAPTER V SHARING OF THE CITY'S EXCELLENT POLICIES WITH FOREIGN CITIES Article 18 (Sharing the City's Excellent Policies with Foreign Cities) (1) The Mayor may promote the following projects to promote coexistence and development with foreign cities by sharing the City's excellent policies with foreign cities:
1. Find and organize the City's excellent policies in a systematic way;
2. Develop a system to promote the City's excellent policies overseas;
3. Develop a network with foreign cities and find cities where the project shall be promoted;
4. Promote and support a policy sharing project with foreign cities;
5. Develop a system to cooperate with organizations, institutions, businesses, etc. at home and abroad;
6. Find and promote a cooperative project with international organizations and institutions, organizations, businesses, etc. at home and abroad;
7. Invite public officials in foreign cities for training and education;
8. Carry out official development assistance projects under the Framework Act on International Development Cooperation; and
9. Other projects recognized as necessary to share the City's policy with foreign countries.
(2) If necessary to promote projects under subparagraphs 4, 7 and 8 of paragraph (1), the Mayor may use the Seoul Metropolitan Government Foreign Cooperation Fund under Article 6(2)1 of the Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Installation and Operation of the Seoul Metropolitan Government Foreign Cooperation Fund. <Amended on Jan. 5, 2017>

Article 19 (Training of Experts) (1) The Mayor shall endeavor to train experts to promote a project that shares the City's excellent policies with foreign cities.
(2) The Mayor may consign relevant organizations, institutions, universities, etc. with the following projects to train experts under paragraph (1) above. In such cases, the Mayor may support the necessary expenses within the scope of his/her budget:
1. Education and training of experts in foreign projects;
2. Development and operation of education and training courses for experts in foreign projects; and
3. Other projects that the Mayor recognizes as necessary for the education and training of experts.

Article 20 (Use of Official Development Assistance) (1) The Mayor shall endeavor to efficiently use official development assistance under Article 18(1)8 for the promotion of a project that shares the City's excellent policies with foreign cities. <Amended on Jan. 5, 2017>
(2) The Mayor may implement the following projects regarding the use of official development assistance under paragraph (1) above:
1. Project assistance;
2. Support for students and trainees from developing countries;
3. Technical assistance; and
4. Other projects deemed appropriate for official development assistance.

Article 21 (Consignment of Tasks) (1) The Mayor may consign affiliated institutions, funded institutions, etc. with all or part of the affairs concerning its project operation to efficiently promote the projects stipulated by Article 18(1). <Amended on Jan. 5, 2017>
(2) The Mayor may provide, within a scope of budget, expenses necessary to consign tasks under paragraph (1) above.
(3) Where a task under paragraph (1) above is consigned, a matter not prescribed by this Ordinance shall be governed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Private Consignment of Administrative Affairs.

CHAPTER VI OTHER SUPPORT SYSTEMS TO PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE AND COOPERATION <Amended on Dec. 31, 2019> Article 22 (Service of Public Officials in Foreign Cities, etc.) (1) Where it is recognized as necessary to efficiently promote projects that improve international exchange and cooperation, the Mayor may have public officials in the following organizations serve in foreign cities for a certain period of time: <Amended on Dec. 31, 2020>
1. Overseas offices of its affiliated institutions and corporations or funded institutions;
2. International organizations, foreign non-profit corporations and private organizations;
3. Foreign central governments and foreign local governments, such as friendship cities, friendly cooperation cities, foreign cities, etc. or
4. Overseas offices of public institutions and public organizations.
(2) Public officials working in foreign cities under paragraph (1) above may perform the following: policy consultation; material investigation; support for private businesses to develop a market, etc.
(3) Where the Mayor has public officials working in foreign cities for a certain period of time under paragraph (1) above, he/she may support the necessary expenses within the scope of his/her budget.
(4) In the case of working in foreign cities under paragraph (1) above, the Local Public Officials Act, the Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Service of Public Officials, the Regulations for the Service of Public Officials Abroad, the Regulations for the Remuneration of Local Public Officials shall apply mutatis mutandis to matters not prescribed by this Ordinance. <Amended on Mar. 28, 2019>

Article 23 (Building of Cooperation System) The Mayor may promote or cooperate on projects jointly with institutions, organizations, universities, international organizations, etc. at home and abroad to efficiently promote a project that improves international exchange and cooperation.

Article 24 (Enforcement Rules) Matters required to enforce this Ordinance shall be prescribed as rules.

Addenda <Ordinance No. 5704, May 14, 2014>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation;
Addenda <Ordinance No. 6386, Jan. 5, 2017> (Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Comprehensive Reorganization of Local Statutes)
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation;
Addenda <Ordinance No. 7046, Mar. 28, 2019> (Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Comprehensive Reorganization of Word Spacing)
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Revision of Other Ordinances)
(1) through (3) are omitted.
(2) The Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Promotion of International Exchange and Cooperation is partially revised as follows:
The term "Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Service of Local Public Officials" in Article 22(4) shall be changed to "Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Service of Public Officials."
(5) through (57) are omitted.
Addenda (Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Comprehensive Modification of Japanese Terminology) <Ordinance No. 7423, Dec. 31, 2019>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation;
Addenda <Ordinance No. 7788, Dec. 31, 2020>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation;
Addenda (Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Comprehensive Modification of Japanese Terminology) <Ordinance No. 7912, Mar. 25, 2021>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation;
Addenda (Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Comprehensive Reorganization of Provisions Quoting Upper Statutes, Including the Whole Amendment of the Local Autonomy Act, etc.) <Ordinance No. 8127, Sep. 30, 2021>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation; Provided, That the <proviso omission> provisions amending Articles 2 to 36 shall enter into force on and after Jan. 13, 2022.