Ms. Le Nguyen Minh Phuong - the first Vietnamese who was honored with Honorary Citizens of Seoul. Photo: Vietnamese Association in Korea

Seoul Metropolitan Government awards honorary citizenship to non-Koreans who have demonstrated their love and dedication to the city of Seoul each year on October 28 (Honorary Citizens Day). Candidates must have lived in Korea for three consecutive years or over five years in total, contributed to Seoul’s development as well as to the quality of life of Seoul’s residents, and set an excellent example for both citizens and foreign residents.

As of 2019, there are 823 Honorary Citizens in total. They are provided with opportunities to participate in events hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and are permitted free admission to the Seoul Museum of Art, the Seoul Museum of History, Seoul Grand Park and other public facilities operated by Seoul City.

The director of the Seoul Planning Department, Mr. Choi Won-seok congratulated Vietnam on having a citizen chosen as Seoul Honorary Citizen, and expressed his hope that the relationship between Korea and Vietnam in the coming time will gradually prospe.

Mr. Choi emphasized that Vietnam-Korea relations have continuously developed in recent years, especially, Hanoi capital is the sister city with Seoul and Ho Chi Minh City has also signed an agreement on establishing friendly relations.

For her part, Ms. Le Nguyen Minh Phuong expressed her honor to be selected as an Honorary citizen of Seoul. Ms. Phuong is currently a PhD student at Yonsei University, freelance translator and reporter. She has worked as a translator for many high-level working groups from both countries. She is known as a contributor to the international student community and the Vietnamese community in Seoul.

Phuong hoped that, in the coming time, through her activities, she will contribute to the development of the relationship between Vietnam and Korea, as well as promote the beautiful image of Vietnam and Korea to the people of the two countries and international.

VNF