SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT ORDINANCE ON AWARD OF HONORARY CITIZENSHIP

SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT ORDINANCE ON AWARD OF HONORARY CITIZENSHIP
Article 1 (Purpose) The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide for matters necessary for the award of an honorary citizenship of Seoul Special Metropolitan City (hereinafter referred to as "honorary citizenship") to an expatriate who renders distinguished service to Seoul Metropolitan Government administration or a foreign guest who visits the Seoul Metropolitan Government, thereby contributing to international exchanges and cooperation and the promotion of friendship of the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Article 2 (Prospective Awardees) (1) Honorary citizenship shall be awarded to an expatriate who renders distinguished service to Seoul Metropolitan Government administration (hereinafter referred to as the "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 not less than three years consecutively or for not less than five years in total. <Amended on Sep. 30, 2005; Jul. 30, 2008> (2) Where the Mayor of the Seoul Metropolitan Government (hereinafter referred to as the "Mayor") deems it particularly necessary, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), he/she may award an honorary citizenship to a foreign guest who visits Seoul Special Metropolitan City or a non-resident alien. Article 3 (Recommendation of Nominees) The head of a public organization, the head of a social group of not less than ten members, or not less than 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 an honorary citizenship from among persons recommended under the provisions of Article 3 following the deliberation of the Honorary Citizenship Award Committee under the provisions of Article 8: Provided, That this may be omitted in cases under Article 2 (2). <Amended on Jul. 30, 2008> (2) When the Mayor intends to award an honorary citizenship to a person determined as a prospective awardee pursuant to 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 confer an honorary citizenship in consultation with the Chairman of the City Council. <Amended on Jul. 30, 2008> Article 5 (Method of Award and Additional Prize) (1) The Mayor shall award an honorary citizenship and certificate of honorary citizenship to a person determined as a prospective awardee of an honorary citizenship under the provisions of Article 4. <Amended on Jul. 30, 2008> (2) A medal of honorary citizen or souvenir may be awarded to a person on whom an honorary citizenship is conferred under the provisions of paragraph (1). <Amended on Jul. 30, 2008> (3) Matters concerning an honorary citizenship, certificate of award of honorary citizenship and making of a medal of honorary citizen shall be prescribed by the Enforcement Rule. Article 6 (Follow-Up Management) (1) A person awarded an honorary citizenship may be granted the same administrative benefits enjoyed by the citizens of Seoul Special Metropolitan City. (2) A person awarded an honorary citizenship may be given an opportunity to participate in City administration, such as appointing him/her as a member of a committee related to City administration or inviting him/her to participate in an event hosted by the City. (3) A person awarded an honorary citizenship may be exempted from admission fees to Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul Museum of History and urban parks in Seoul Special Metropolitan City. <Newly Inserted on Sep. 30, 2005> (4) The Mayor shall prepare and keep the register of award of honorary citizenship as prescribed by the Enforcement Rule. <Amended on Sep. 30, 2005; Jul. 30, 2008> Article 7 (Cancellation of Award) (1) Where a person awarded an honorary citizenship commits an act deemed contrary to the spirit of its award, the Mayor may cancel his/her honorary citizenship following the deliberation of the Honorary Citizenship Award Committee. (2) A person whose honorary citizenship is cancelled under the provisions of paragraph (1) shall be deprived of administrative benefits and of opportunities to participate in the City administration under the provisions of Article 6 from the time his/her honorary citizenship is cancelled. <Amended on Jul. 30, 2008> Article 8 (Honorary Citizenship Award Committee) (1) There is hereby established an Honorary Citizenship Award Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") in the Seoul Metropolitan Government to examine or deliberate on the following: <Amended on Jul. 30, 2008> 1. Examination on suitability of award to a person recommended as a prospective awardee of an honorary citizenship; 2. Deliberation on whether to cancel an honorary citizenship that has been awarded. (2) The Committee shall be comprised of not more than ten members, including one chairperson and one vice chairperson. (3) The Vice Mayor Ⅰ for Administrative Affairs of the Seoul Metropolitan Government shall be serve as the chairperson, and the vice chairperson shall be elected from among members. (4) The Mayor shall appoint or commission members from among the following persons: 1. Director general-level or higher ranking public officials of the Seoul Metropolitan Government; <Amended on Jul. 30, 2008> 2. Other persons who have knowledge in Seoul Metropolitan Government administration and the field of international exchange and of high moral repute. <Amended on Jul. 30, 2008> (5) Where a member of the Committee who is not a public official attends a meeting of the Committee, the Mayor may reimburse him/her for the travel expenses and give 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 Enforcement Rule. ADDENDA (1) (Enforcement Date) This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. (2) (Ordinance Repealed) The Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on Award of Merits Citizenship (Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance No. 80, August 15, 1955) is hereby repealed. ADDENDUM <Ordinance No. 2829, Sep. 30, 1991> This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. ADDENDUM <Ordinance No. 3045, Nov. 30, 1993> This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. ADDENDUM <Ordinance No. 3097, Apr. 14, 1994> This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. ADDENDUM <Ordinance No. 3390, Apr. 21, 1997> This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. ADDENDUM <Ordinance No. 3774, Jul. 25, 2000> This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. ADDENDA <Ordinance No. 4311, Sep. 30, 2005> Article 1 (Enforcement Date) This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. Article 2 Omitted. ADDENDUM <Ordinance No. 4667, Jul. 30, 2008> This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.