'40th Anniversary of Sister City' Oh Se-hoon Meets Bogot? Mayor to Discuss Economy and Transportation Issues

Seoul City to Continue Policy Exchange on Integrated Transfer System and More

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 15th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon met with Claudia Lopez, Mayor of Bogot?, Colombia, at the Seoul City Hall office to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their sister city relationship and discuss ways to enhance exchanges between the two cities.

Claudia Lopez is the first popularly elected female mayor in Bogot?'s history. She is actively working towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, serving as Chair of the Metropolis, a global association of major cities, and Vice Chair of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group.

Since Seoul and Bogot? established their sister city relationship in 1982, they have maintained continuous exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as transportation and culture for the past 40 years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Seoul supported Bogot? by providing 3,000 sets of protective suits worth approximately $50,000 (about 60 million KRW), strengthening their fraternal bond.

Earlier this month, at the 40th anniversary commemorative performance held locally in Bogot?, the Seoul City Korean Traditional Orchestra showcased Korean folk songs, pansori, and samulnori, sharing the precious spirit and value of Korean traditional arts with Bogot?.

In particular, Seoul and Bogot? have been close policy cooperation partners, learning from each other's excellent transportation policies and developing their current transportation systems. In 2004, Seoul benchmarked Bogot?'s innovative BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system to reform its transportation system and implemented the bus-only lane system. In 2011, Seoul exported its transportation card system to Bogot?.

Mayor Claudia Lopez of Bogot? stated, “We are planning to introduce an integrated public transportation payment system connecting public transit within Bogot? in the future,” and expressed hope for policy exchange, saying, “Seoul’s integrated transfer system and transportation policies utilizing big data will greatly assist Bogot?’s policy development.”

In response, Mayor Oh said, “I am pleased to have the opportunity to meet Mayor Lopez in person and discuss exchange and cooperation between the two cities,” adding, “I hope that the technical exchange of transportation systems between the two cities will enhance the convenience of citizens and that today’s visit will contribute to the development of Bogot?.”