Name: Park Won-soon Title: Mayor of Seoul Company, city: Seoul Metropolitan Government; Seoul, South Korea Number of employees: 39,649 Recent project: We launched a zero-complaint initiative to better serve tourists and support our goal of making 2016 the first year of quality tourism in Seoul. As part of this effort, we set up information booths that provide travel guidance, performance reservations and interpretation services. First job: I moved from a rural area to Seoul to attend high school. My first job was tutoring the child of the family with whom I lived. Professionally, I have worked as a prosecutor, a human rights lawyer and a human rights activist. Little-known fact about you: I have written and published 50 books on human rights, torture and law.
Your Business
Essential business philosophy: My guiding belief is that “Citizens are the mayors.” I also believe in attending to even the smallest matters, inspired by the Confucian text The Doctrine of the Mean (Zhongyong). Best way to keep a competitive edge: Innovation and good governance are the cornerstones of my approach. I address problems using principle, common sense, rationality and balance. Viewing Seoul’s present and future within a historical perspective helps inform long-term decisions. Yardstick of success: Before becoming mayor I was interested in the idea of gross national happiness. I measure success by the level of citizens’ satisfaction and well-being.
Park Won-soon as a Traveler
What is the most important item you take when traveling? I buy travel magazines at the airport and collect useful tourism information to use in speeches. How do you spend your time on board? I read and then take a nap. It’s a chance to catch up on lost sleep. What is your favorite restaurant in the world? While studying at Harvard Law School in the 1990s, I enjoyed a nearby sandwich shop where I would watch the sunset. Those simple meals satisfied both my hunger and my spirit. What is your favorite destination in the world? I am fond of Western European cities that combine modern life with careful preservation. The buildings around the Alhambra in Spain, for example, remind me of traditional Korean roof tiles.
About Seoul
Seoul was named Best MICE City in the 2015 GT Tested Reader Survey awards. Tell us about MICE opportunities in the city. Seoul has built a reputation for reliability by successfully hosting major international events, including the G20 Summit. We promote events and partnerships through the Seoul MICE Alliance. The city’s long history, modern facilities and round-the-clock transportation network make it an attractive destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions. Seoul’s new slogan is “I.Seoul.U.” What does it mean to the city, and how can travelers best experience it? The slogan’s greatest strength is that it was chosen by citizens: about 16,000 ideas were submitted. Director Park Chan-wook produced a promotional video using 12,000 citizen-submitted clips from around the world. The brand is intentionally flexible and adaptable, allowing creative variations such as “I.Bridge.U.” Travelers can experience it by exploring both the modern and traditional sides of the city and by taking part in the many cultural and community-led activities. What are your plans for the city in 2016? We plan to further upgrade Seoul’s MICE capabilities and develop an international exchange complex near COEX. To reach our target of attracting 20 million visitors by 2018, we are conserving and restoring historic assets, including efforts to register the Seoul City Wall as a UNESCO World Heritage site by 2017. We will also create venues and programs that showcase Korean Wave cultural performances for both residents and visitors.