CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS Article 1 (Purpose) The purpose of this Ordinance is to prescribe the matters necessary to promote city diplomacy for Seoul Metropolitan City’s development into an internationally competitive city through active exchanges with overseas cities.

Article 2 (Definition) The definitions of the terms used in this Ordinance shall be as follows:
1. "City diplomacy" refers to the international exchange and cooperation activities of Seoul Metropolitan City (hereinafter the “City”), whether directly or in cooperation with the private sector; the City’s efforts to strengthen its relationships with foreign governments, institutions, and citizens through cultural, knowledge, policy, and other exchanges; and its efforts to raise the City’s international profile; and promote mutual understanding and trust with foreign countries.
2. "Sisterhood relationship" refers to an agreement between the City and an overseas city to pursue reciprocal development in various fields such as economics, society, culture, and tourism based on close mutual cooperation.
3. "Friendship and cooperation agreement” refers to a relationship of mutual friendship and cooperation concluded between the City and an overseas city to promote future exchanges, and is the stage of the relationship that precedes the actual conclusion of a sisterhood relationship.
4. "International organization" refers to the United Nations and its subsidiary organs and specialized agencies, intergovernmental organizations, quasi-intergovernmental organizations including those between local governments, international non-governmental organizations and foundations, research institutes, non-governmental organizations, and consultative bodies, etc. engaged in international activities.

Article 3 (Scope of Application) Except as otherwise provided in other ordinances, the promotion of city diplomacy shall be governed by this Ordinance.

Article 4 (Responsibilities of the Mayor) (1) The Seoul Metropolitan City Mayor (hereinafter referred to as the “Mayor”) shall actively implement relevant policies and projects to enable the City to enhance municipal competitiveness through active city diplomacy with overseas cities.
(2) The Mayor shall build systems for cooperation with the private sector to ensure the effective conduct of city diplomacy, and shall make the necessary efforts, such as providing education and conducting public relations campaigns aimed at reaching a social consensus on the importance of city diplomacy and increasing public participation.

CHAPTER II Entering into Sisterhood Relationships Article 5 (Sisterhood Relationships, Etc.) (1) The Mayor may enter into sisterhood relationships or conclude friendship and cooperation agreements with overseas cities for exchanges that promote city diplomacy.
(2) Sister cities and friendship and cooperation cities shall be selected from among cities capable of engaging in continuing exchanges and promoting mutual interest.

Article 6 (Proposal of Sisterhood Relationship, Etc.) (1) The Mayor, upon receiving a proposal for a sisterhood relationship, etc. from an overseas city, shall receive diverse basic data for the city in question and make a decision after reviewing the scale of administration, urban conditions, appropriateness of exchange, etc. of both Seoul and the candidate overseas city
(2) Before making a proposal to an overseas city to enter into a sisterhood relationship, etc., diverse data about the city concerned shall be collected and analyzed for a thorough review of the exchange conditions before reaching a decision.
(3) The following factors shall be taken into account when reviewing the exchange conditions for sisterhood relationships, etc.:
1. Similarity to the City’s international status as a capital city or equivalent;
2. Similarity in urban conditions including area, population, level of administration and finance, etc.
3. Commonalities and mutual complements in industry, unique urban characteristics, etc.
4. The possibility of cooperation and increased friendship as equal partners;
5. The necessity of exchange given their respective historical and cultural backgrounds, unique geographical conditions, etc.;
6. Other benefits from exchange, sustainability, etc.

Article 7 (Resolution of Sisterhood Relationship, Etc.) A resolution of the City Council is required under Article 47 of the Local Autonomy Act when the Mayor seeks to enter into a sisterhood relationship or friendship and cooperation agreement with an overseas city: Provided, however, that the resolution of the City Council may be replaced by a report to the competent standing committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Council when concluding a friendship and cooperation agreement whose only substance is an obligation of mutual effort.

Article 8 (Substantive Exchange Programs) The Mayor shall make efforts to engage in exchanges with sister cities and friendship and cooperation cities so as to contribute substantively to promoting the City’s internationalization and to contribute to the overall spheres of economy, culture, society, etc.

Article 9 (Record Preservation and Management) The Mayor shall organize all records relating to the implementation of sisterhood relationships, etc. to facilitate their continuous retention and management.

Article 10 (Cancellation of Sisterhood Relationships, Etc.) A resolution of the City Council is required in the event that the Mayor seeks to cancel a sisterhood relationship or friendship and cooperation agreement.

PART III IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS TO PROMOTE SUBSTANTIVE EXCHANGE AND COOPERATION WITH OVERSEAS CITIES Article 11 (Grants of Honorary Citizenship Certificates) To promote the City’s city diplomacy and closer amity with overseas cities, the Mayor may grant honorary Seoul Metropolitan City citizenship certificates to foreigners who make manifest contributions to municipal affairs, or to foreign guests who visit the City.

Article 12 (Operation of Overseas Correspondents) The Mayor may appoint overseas correspondents to collect information on overseas policies and on-the-ground cases from cities around the world, use such information in on-site communication and municipal affairs, and engage in City-oriented public relations in overseas cities.

Article 13 (Operation of City Days) To promote closer amity with sister cities, friendship and cooperation cities, etc. and stronger communication with the foreign residents of the City, the Mayor may designate regular or occasional “City Days” in order to hold the following events:
1. Commemorative ceremonies and cultural, artistic, and sports events;
2. Events for foreign nationals from foreign cities;
3. Other events designed to promote city diplomacy with sister cities, etc.

Article 14 (Promotion of Substantive Exchange and Cooperation with Overseas Cities) (1) The Mayor shall make efforts to promote mutual cooperation to facilitate exchange and cooperation in various fields including the economy, culture, and tourism, and give substantive help to citizens and enterprises from both cities.
(2) The Mayor may implement the following projects to promote substantive exchange and cooperation with overseas cities:
1. Projects involving participation in or cooperation with cultural events or festivals held abroad in order to introduce the City’s culture and increase communication with foreign citizens;
2. Projects to disseminate the City’s model policies to foreign cities in order to seek shared development;
3. Projects involving personnel exchanges with foreign institutions;
4. Projects involving the nurturing of experts and the operation of related programs.

CHAPTER IV HOSTING INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Article 15 (Laying the Foundations for Hosting International Organizations) The Mayor may implement the following projects to lay the foundations for hosting international organizations:
1. Investigations and research aimed at international organization-related international cooperation;
2. International exchanges of experts and information for hosting international organizations;
3. Education and training to nurture international organization experts;
4. Other projects deemed necessary to lay the foundations for hosting international organizations.

Article 16 (Scope of Support for Hosting International Organizations, Etc.) The Mayor may support the following matters to ensure the effectiveness of efforts to host international organizations, and to ensure stable operation of the international organizations finalized for hosting:
1. Domestic and international public relations on hosting the international organization;
2. Provision of data concerning the international organization;
3. Administrative and financial support for the opening and operation of the international organization;
4. Joint cooperative projects with the international organization;
5. Other matters deemed necessary by the Mayor for the hosting or operation of international organizations.

Article 17 (Establishment of International Organization Support Facilities) (1) The Mayor shall operate the Seoul Global Center’s building and other premises as support facilities in order to lay the foundations for hosting international organizations and ensure their stable operation, etc. (hereinafter referred to as “international organization support facilities”).
(2) The Mayor shall make efforts to host international organizations in support facilities for international organizations, such as the Seoul Global Center’s building, as a priority.
(3) If necessary, the Mayor may entrust all or a part of the affairs concerning the administration and operation of international organization support centers to corporations, organizations, institutions, etc.
(4) Matters concerning the procedures, methods, etc. necessary for entrusting the affairs under the foregoing paragraph (3) shall be governed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Entrustment of Administrative Affairs to the Private Sector.
(5) The Mayor may permit the rental of parts of the international organization support facilities only to the extent that it does not interfere with the purpose of establishing international organization support facilities or their operations and administration; and the rent shall be as set forth in the Appendix.
(6) Notwithstanding paragraph (5), the Mayor may reduce or waive the rent if any of the following applies:
1. Usage is permitted to an occupant institution or organization of the Seoul Global Center building;
2. The Mayor deems the event to be appropriate for an international organization support facility;
3. The event is hosted or overseen by the City and recognized by the Mayor.

CHAPTER V OTHER SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR THE PROMOTION OF CITY DIPLOMACY Article 18 (Support for the Private Sector) To stimulate private sector participation in city diplomacy, the Mayor may, within the available budget, subsidize all or a part of the expenses of a private sector entity that cooperates in city diplomacy or engages in activities designed to promote foreign citizens’ understanding of and trust in the City, thereby enhancing the City’s image and profile, or provide administrative support necessary for the discharge of its affairs.

Article 19 (Building Domestic and International Cooperation Systems) The Mayor may implement joint projects or cooperate with domestic and foreign institutions, organizations, universities, and international organizaiotns to efficiently promote city diplomacy initiatives.

Article 20 (Enforcement Rule)

Addenda <No. 9472, Jan. 3, 2025>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date) This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Transitional Measures) Entrustment to the private sector and MOUs concluded under regulations in force prior to the time of enforcement of this Ordinance shall be deemed to have been concluded under this Ordinance.