SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT ORDINANCE ON AWARDING HONORARY CITIZENSHIP

Wholly Amended by Ordinance No. 3774, Jul. 25, 2000

Amended by Ordinance No. 4311, Sep. 30, 2005

Ordinance No. 4667, Jul. 30, 2008

Ordinance No. 5233, Jan. 5, 2012

Article 1 (Purpose)

The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide for matters necessary for awarding honorary citizenship of Seoul Metropolitan City (hereinafter referred to as "honorary citizenship") to a foreigner who renders distinguished services to the administration of Seoul Metropolitan City or a foreign guest who visits Seoul Metropolitan City, thus contribute to international exchanges and cooperation and the promotion of goodwill of Seoul Metropolitan City.

Article 2 (Prospective Awardees)

(1) Honorary citizenship shall be awarded to a foreigner who renders distinguished services to the administration of Seoul Metropolitan Government (hereinafter referred to as "City administration") and sets an example to the citizens of Seoul Special Metropolitan City and expatriates residing in Seoul, from among expatriates residing in Seoul Special Metropolitan City for at least three years consecutively or for at least five years in total.  

(2) Where the Seoul Metropolitan City Mayor (hereinafter referred to as the "Mayor") deems it particularly necessary, he/she may award an honorary citizenship to a foreign guest who visits Seoul Special Metropolitan City or a non-resident alien, notwithstanding paragraph (1). 

Article 3 (Recommendation of Nominees)

The head of a public organization, the head of a social group of at least ten members, or at least ten citizens may recommend a nominee for an honorary citizenship.

Article 4 (Determination of Prospective Awardees)

(1) The Mayor shall determine a prospective awardee of honorary citizenship among persons recommended under Article 3 through screening by the Honorary Citizenship Awarding Committee under Article 8: Provided, That this may be omitted in cases falling under Article 2 (2).   

(2) When the Mayor intends to award honorary citizenship to a person determined as a prospective awardee under paragraph (1), he/she shall obtain the consent of the Seoul Metropolitan Council (hereinafter referred to as the "City Council"): Provided, That when the City Council is out of session or the Mayor has no time to obtain the consent of the City Council due to urgency, he/she may award honorary citizenship in consultation with the Chairperson of the City Council.   

Article 5 (Method of Award and Additional Prize)

(1) The Mayor shall award honorary citizenship and a certificate of honorary citizenship to a person determined as a prospective awardee of honorary citizenship under Article 4.

(2) A medal of honorary citizen or souvenir may be awarded to a person awarded honorary citizenship under paragraph (1).  

(3) Matters concerning honorary citizenship, a certificate of award of honorary citizenship and production of a medal of honorary citizen shall be prescribed by the relevant Enforcement Rule.

Article 6 (Follow-Up Management)

(1) A person awarded honorary citizenship may be granted the same administrative benefits enjoyed by the citizens of Seoul Special Metropolitan City.

(2) A person awarded honorary citizenship may be given an opportunity to participate in the City administration, such as appointing him/her as a member of a committee related to the City administration or inviting him/her to participate in an event hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.   

(3) A person awarded honorary citizenship may be exempt from admission fees to Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul Museum of History and urban parks in Seoul Special Metropolitan City.   

(4) The Mayor shall prepare and keep the honorary citizenship awarding register, as prescribed by the relevant Enforcement Rule.

Article 7 (Revocation of Award)

(1) Where a person awarded honorary citizenship does an act deemed contrary to the spirit of its award, the Mayor may revoke his/her honorary citizenship after deliberation by the Honorary Citizenship Awarding Committee. 

(2) A person whose honorary citizenship is revoked under paragraph (1) shall be deprived of administrative benefits and of opportunities to participate in the City administration under Article 6 from the time his/her honorary citizenship is revoked.  

Article 8 (Honorary Citizenship Awarding Committee)

(1) There is hereby established an Honorary Citizenship Awarding Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") under the Seoul Metropolitan Government to examine or deliberate on any of the following:

1. Examination on suitability of award to a person recommended as a prospective awardee of honorary citizenship;

2. Deliberation on whether to revoke honorary citizenship that has been awarded. 

(2) The Committee shall be comprised of no more than ten members, including one chairperson.  

(3) The First Administrative Deputy Mayor of Seoul Metropolitan City shall serve as chairperson of the Committee.  

(4) The Mayor shall appoint or commission members of the Committee from among the following persons:  

1. Public officials in the position equal to or higher than the director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government;

2. Other persons who have knowledge about City administration and international exchanges and have good social standing.

(5) Where a non-public official member of the Committee attends a meeting of the Committee, the Mayor may reimburse him/her for traveling expenses and pay an allowance to him/her within budgetary limits.

Article 9 (Enforcement Rule)

Matters necessary for the enforcement of this Ordinance shall be prescribed by the relevant Enforcement Rule.     

ADDENDUM

This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.

ADDENDA

Article 1 (Enforcement Date)

This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.

Article 2 Omitted.

ADDENDUM

This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.

ADDENDUM

This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.