In August Next Year, Seoul to Host Korea's First 'World Electric Car Racing Championship'... 'Seoul Tourism Festival' Also Held Simultaneously

'World Electric Vehicle Race' Seoul Event August 13-14 Next Year
K-Pop, Beauty, Gourmet and Seoul Tourism Festival Also Held Together
Mayor Oh Se-hoon Signs Tripartite MOU with Seoul City-FEK-KBS on 18th

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] In August next year, a racing event featuring global eco-friendly electric vehicle manufacturers and a Seoul tourism festival showcasing K-pop and other Korean Wave (Hallyu) content will be held simultaneously in Seoul.

On the 18th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that two major events?a world-class racing competition expected to attract more than 2,000 participants including athletes and staff, and the Seoul tourism festival?will be held concurrently in Seoul.

First, the world-renowned electric car racing event, the "World Electric Car Racing Championship Seoul Race (Seoul E-Prix 2022)," will take place over two days from August 13 to 14 next year at the Jamsil Sports Complex area.

The "Seoul E-Prix 2022" will be the final race of the 2021?2022 season, which begins at the end of this year, effectively serving as the championship finale. The event is organized by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) under the World Electric Car Racing Championship (ABB FIA Formula E World Championship), commonly known as "Formula E." The E-PRIX refers to city-specific races within the World Electric Car Racing Championship. The full official schedule for the 2021?2022 season will be announced after separate official approval by the World Motorsport Council in July.

The "World Electric Car Racing Championship" is a new genre never before experienced in Korea, and this will be the first time it is held domestically. Instead of heavy engine sounds, quiet and zero-emission electric cars race through the city centers of major global cities, competing in speed and technology. The event is expected to not only attract spectators visiting Seoul but also serve as an opportunity to promote Seoul to hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. Since its inception with the Beijing E-Prix in 2014, the championship has been held over seven seasons in major cities such as New York, London, and Paris. World-renowned automobile companies like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and BMW form teams to participate.

Additionally, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will hold the global Seoul tourism festival "Seoul Festa 2022 (SEOUL FESTA 2022)" from August 10 to 14 next year in conjunction with the "Seoul E-Prix 2022." The city aims to establish this as a representative global festival by presenting various festival programs centered on Korean Wave culture, which has garnered worldwide interest in K-pop, beauty, and cuisine.

Notably, BTS, who topped the Billboard charts, serves as Seoul's honorary tourism ambassador and the global ambassador for the World Electric Car Racing Championship, which is expected to maximize promotional effects.

In this regard, Mayor Oh Se-hoon will sign a tripartite memorandum of understanding at the Seoul City Hall video conference room with "Formula E Korea (FEK)," which secured the hosting of the "World Electric Car Racing Championship," and the event's main broadcaster, "Korean Broadcasting System (KBS)." During the signing ceremony, BTS, as Seoul's honorary tourism ambassador and the global ambassador for the World Electric Car Racing Championship, will deliver a video message congratulating the confirmation of the "Seoul E-Prix 2022" and expressing anticipation for the successful hosting of "Seoul Festa 2022."