Songpa-gu Raises Flags to Express Hope for Hosting the 2036 Olympics
From Jamsil Main Stadium to Olympic Park Peace Gate, 4km Section Prays for Hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics
▲Main Stadium ▲Olympic Park ▲Olympic Symbolic Sculptures Preserve the History of the ‘88 Seoul Olympics’
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) has vividly displayed its strong desire to host the 2036 Summer Olympics across Jamsil Field.
Last October, the Seoul Metropolitan Government visited the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, to express its intention to host the 2036 Seoul Olympics. Alongside India, Qatar, Indonesia, and T?rkiye, which have also expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics, the competition for sports diplomacy is expected to be fiercer than ever.
In response, Songpa-gu, the main venue of the ‘88 Seoul Olympics,’ stepped up to support the bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics. Flags of over 200 IOC member countries were raised along a 4km stretch from Jamsil Main Stadium to the Peace Gate of Olympic Park, conveying the hopes and determination of Songpa residents. Starting with the Olympic rings flag, the flag of Greece?the host country of the first Olympics in 1896?follows, then flags appear in alphabetical order by country.
Additionally, along Olympic Road, more than 50 sculptures themed on Olympic sports such as boxing, wrestling, judo, table tennis, and handball have been installed to embody the spirit of sports. The district conducts cleaning work every spring.
In a ‘2022 Songpa-gu Resident Opinion Survey’ conducted last November with 800 residents, 90.8% expressed support for the bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics. This reflects strong community aspirations for expanded infrastructure in culture, tourism, and sports facilities associated with hosting the Olympics.
Moreover, the district is promoting the ‘MICE Development Project’ to develop the Jamsil Sports Complex area, where the ‘88 Seoul Olympics’ were held, into a massive complex encompassing sports, exhibitions, culture, business, and tourism. If the 2036 Summer Olympics bid succeeds, it is expected to have a significant positive impact, including enhancing the city’s brand value.
Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, stated, “Songpa already has various Olympic infrastructures, which is a great economic advantage. Having successfully hosted the ‘88 Seoul Olympics’ in the past, we hope for another opportunity to actively cooperate once again.”
Jongno-gu Publishes ‘Korean Culture Tourism Guidebook in Sign Language’
Learn about Korean culture in fields such as Hanbok, Korean Food, Hanok, Hangul, and Hanji through Sign Language
2,000 Copies Produced, to be Distributed from the 16th to Seoul’s 25 District Deaf Associations and More
Jongno-gu (Mayor Jeong Mun-heon) has completed the production of the ‘Jongno Korean Culture Tourism Guidebook in Sign Language’ this month for the hearing- and speech-impaired.
The book is organized into sections: ▲Hanbok, Styling in Jongno ▲Korean Food, Tasting in Jongno ▲Hanok, Preserving in Jongno ▲Hangul, Born in Jongno ▲Hanji, Transmitted in Jongno.
It broadly covers traditional culture by category and introduces related cultural assets, place names, events, and tourist attractions in sign language. It also includes information about the Jongno Sign Language Interpretation Center and tourist information centers.
Additionally, QR codes linking to sign language gesture videos are included so anyone interested can learn about various Korean cultures in Jongno through sign language.
Jongno-gu plans to produce a total of 2,000 copies of the book and distribute them starting from the 16th to the deaf associations of Seoul’s 25 districts, 17 local community centers, and welfare institutions for the disabled.
The guidebook will also be provided as regional introduction material at various international events, including the ‘2023 World Federation of the Deaf Conference’ to be held domestically in July with participation from 125 member countries.
Jongno-gu has consistently operated ‘Sign Language Classes’ for residents and district employees. Last year, from September to November, a 12-week course taught frequently used words and basic practical conversations, receiving positive feedback. The program will continue this year.
Mayor Jeong Mun-heon said, “We hope this sign language book publication will contribute to improving information accessibility for domestic and international disabled visitors to Jongno. We will continue to seek various ways to communicate and interact with people with disabilities.”
Dongdaemun-gu Seoul Korean Medicine Promotion Center Re-selected as ‘Recommended Wellness Tourism Destination’
Selected Twice in a Row as a Leading ‘Recommended Wellness Tourism Destination’ in Korea… Extended until 2024
Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) Seoul Korean Medicine Promotion Center (Seoul Yakryeongsi Korean Medicine Museum) has attracted attention by being re-selected as a leading ‘Recommended Wellness Tourism Destination’ in Korea for the second consecutive time.
The ‘Recommended Wellness Tourism Destination’ project, led by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, selects tourism sites that represent excellent wellness tourism content in Korea, focusing on four themes: nature and forest healing, healing and meditation, Korean medicine, and beauty and spa.
Initially selected as a recommended wellness tourism destination in 2021, the Seoul Korean Medicine Promotion Center underwent re-designation evaluation as its certification period expired. The evaluation was based on the past two years’ operational performance and conducted by a panel of experts assessing ▲appropriateness of wellness content ▲efforts to attract tourists ▲future development potential. The center was recognized as an excellent facility and re-selected as a ‘Recommended Wellness Tourism Destination’ for the second time. The certification period was extended for two years from January this year to December 31, 2024.
In particular, the center received high scores for professional operation of wellness tourism, active promotional marketing, tourism commercialization, and cooperation with the Korea Tourism Organization and local community.
The Seoul Korean Medicine Promotion Center will collaborate with the Korea Tourism Organization to revitalize wellness tourism, receiving various support such as travel commercialization, free experience events, and influencer promotions.
A representative of the Seoul Korean Medicine Promotion Center said, “We are pleased that the Seoul Korean Medicine Promotion Center, a landmark of Dongdaemun-gu, has been recognized as a representative wellness tourism destination in Korea. We will continue to strive to become a global tourist destination through meaningful wellness programs and active promotion.”
Before re-designation as a recommended wellness tourism destination, the Seoul Korean Medicine Promotion Center was selected as a certified institution in the ‘2022 Public Museum Evaluation and Certification System’ led by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, continuing its efforts to promote Korean medicine.
Seocho-gu (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) will hold the ‘Seoripul Gala Concert,’ the first festival of the year and the start of seasonal and themed festivals, on the 13th at 7 p.m. at the Seocho Culture and Arts Center Art Hall.
The approximately 90-minute performance will feature Music Director Jeong Ye-kyung, Michael Lee, soprano Hong Chae-rin, and others, offering a rich program including the ‘La La Land OST,’ the ‘Phantom of the Opera series,’ and the musical ‘Man of La Mancha’ to about 600 residents.
Meanwhile, the Seocho Friday Concert has been a representative cultural music program of Seocho-gu, beloved by local residents for 28 years by presenting high-quality cultural performances every Friday. This year, it will especially hold seasonal and themed festivals, promising a charming Seocho filled with cultural fragrance throughout the four seasons.
Mayor Jeon Seong-su said, “I hope this concert, held to welcome the new year 2023, will be like a first gift to the residents. We will continue to promote various performances to enhance the happiness and pride of residents living in the cultural and artistic city of Seocho.”
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