Article 1 (Purpose) The purpose of this Ordinance is to establish the position of international policy adviser to Seoul Metropolitan Government in order to appoint a suitable person to give advice on raising the international profile of Seoul Metropolitan City, and to determine the matters necessary for the operation and management of the adviser.

Article 2 (Functions) The Seoul Metropolitan Government international policy adviser (hereinafter referred to as the “policy advisor”) shall, as and when requested, advise the Seoul Metropolitan City Mayor (hereinafter referred to as the “Mayor”) on the following matters:<Amended on Sep. 29, 2025>
1. Matters on the formulation by Seoul Metropolitan Government (hereinafter referred to as "Seoul") of policy goals and directions commensurate with its status as an international city;
2. Matters pertaining to Seoul’s role in the international community and ways to increase or enhance its role;
3. Matters on major policy and current municipal governance issues for Seoul foreign investment, tourism, promotion, etc.
4. Matters pertaining to policy directions, improvement, and assessment of Seoul’s city diplomacy.
5. Other matters deemed necessary by the Mayor.

Article 3 (Qualifications and Dismissal) (1) The policy adviser shall be appointed by the Mayor from among any of the following persons:
1. A well-known person who is influential and active in the relevant field;
2. A scholar of worldwide renown;
3. Other persons deemed necessary by the Mayor
(2) The policy advisor’s term of office shall be three years, renewable for one further term.
(3) The Mayor may dismiss the policy advisor in the event of any of the following:<Amended on Jan. 3, 2025>
1. When the policy adviser wishes to resign;
2. When the policy adviser has difficulty performing the duties prescribed under Article 3 due to illness requiring long-term treatment, etc.
3. When the policy adviser commits any act that may impair the dignity of a policy adviser;
4. In any other special circumstances equivalent to the foregoing.

Article 4 (Method of Operation) The Mayor may seek advice from the policy adviser on individual issues or on each field at any time, whether in writing, orally, or by any other means.

Article 5 (Policy Adviser’s Cooperation) (1) If invited by the Mayor to an international conference or international event hosted by Seoul (hereinafter referred to as an “international conference”), the policy advisor shall attend such international conference and participate in the debates, lectures, etc.
(2) The policy adviser shall contribute to the overseas promotion of Seoul’s major policies and the expansion of its international cooperation network.
(3) The policy adviser shall cooperate in presenting directions of Seoul’s city diplomacy policy and its campaigns/efforts to enhance the city’s brand. <Newly Inserted on Sep. 29, 2025>

Article 6 (Request for Opinions, Etc.) (1) The policy adviser may request opinions or data from the relevant public officials, etc. of Seoul and affiliated administrative agencies, if necessary to perform the functions prescribed under Article 2.
(2) A relevant public official who has received a request for an opinion, etc. under the foregoing paragraph (1) shall cooperate with the policy advisor’s request in the absence of any special reasons for not doing so.

Article 7 (Amenities, Etc.) (1) When inviting the policy adviser to an international conference, the Mayor may provide the policy adviser and up to one companion, within the available budget, with amenities such as lodging and transportation relevant to the international conference, and expenses otherwise necessary for participation in the conference.
(2) The Mayor may pay research expenses, an allowance, travel expenses, etc. within the available budget to the policy adviser when he or she is participating in an international conference hosted by Seoul.
(3) Budget spending for paragraph (1) or (2) shall be executed by the department implementing the relevant project.

Article 8 (Exclusion and Recusal of Policy Advisers) (1) To ensure the fairness of advice provided, if the policy adviser has a direct interest in the subject of the advice, he or she shall be excluded from advising on such matter.
(2) In the event that the policy adviser falls under the subparagraphs of Article 9 (1) of the Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Establishment and Operation of Various Committees, he or she shall recuse him/herself from advising on the matter.

Article 9 (Enforcement Rule) The matters necessary for the enforcement of this Ordinance shall be determined by Enforcement Rule.

Addendum <No. 9801, Sep. 29, 2025>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.