Seodaemun aims to attract international students, tourists
District focuses on nurturing various festivals, tourism spots It’s uncommon to spend time enjoying waterfalls in the city, and I believe that unique aspect attracts tourists.
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Seodaemun District in western Seoul is seeking to transform itself into an international urban space for students and tourists.
During a recent interview with The Korea Times, Lee Sung-hun, the head of the Seodaemun District Office, highlighted the district’s growing appeal to foreigners, including both international students and tourists.
“Recently, there has been a notable surge in the influx of tourists to a coffee shop near Hongje Stream,” he said.
Cafe Pokpo, situated near Hongje Stream, opened in April this year, as part of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s waterfront revitalization initiative.
Initially frequented mainly by locals, the coffee shop’s popularity among foreign tourists soared on social media, particularly TikTok.
“It’s uncommon to spend time enjoying waterfalls in the city, and I believe that unique aspect attracts tourists,” Lee said.
The coffee shop has seen an influx of tourists from various regions, including Southeast
Asia, China, South America and Africa.
To facilitate communication with the diverse array of visitors, baristas working at the coffee shop are able to speak English and Chinese. An English version of a map showing the topography around Hongje Stream and English signs inside the coffee shop are also provided for the convenience of tourists.
To enhance the overall experience for tourists, plans are underway to construct a tourism booth adjacent to the coffee shop, aiming to provide comprehensive information about Seodaemun District and Seoul, sell souvenirs and offer a designated space for relaxation.
Lee also emphasized the district’s commitment to fostering interactions among young people globally, citing the significant presence of university students from abroad.
Among the 14,500 foreign residents of Seodaemun, approximately 6,800 are international students, according to the district office.
Commencing on Sept. 14 this year, the Sinchon World Youth Festival unfolded over four days, featuring vibrant parades, diverse food markets, international cooking contests and national-themed booths, along with displays from university clubs.
Over 20 ambassadors and diplomats representing 14 countries attended the opening ceremony, and 530,000 young individuals hailing from 30 universities across 40 nations participated in the event.
“I believe the region surrounding Sinchon and Ewha Womans University has laid the groundwork to evolve into global culture centers for young generations,” Lee said, highlighting the impact of the festival.
He also revealed plans to cultivate available spaces in the Sinchon area, fostering diverse cultural and artistic experiences for the enjoyment of both students and residents. These spaces will also be used as incubators for entrepreneurial endeavors such as startups by college students.
Through a collaboration with Yonsei University, a notable initiative is underway involving 90 teams developing and operating their own businesses across various sectors within Sinchon’s startup complex.
Near Ewha Womans University, six stores in BOXQUARE, market complex built out of shipping containers are located, are operated by the school’s students, supported by the involvement of Seodaemun District.
The district is also set to host its second New Year’s Eve countdown concert in Sinchon tailored to the young generations concentrated around the university-centric region.
With over 1,300 attendees last year, the concert featured performances by Yonsei University’s cheer squad and the punk band Crying Nut, ahead of the New Year’s countdown event.
This year, the district promises additional experiences and performance groups, including rock band Romantic Punch, dance team AFROKOREA and DJs, elevating the New Year’s Eve celebration.
“Beyond Seoul’s renowned tourist attractions, we aim to transform Seodaemun District into a hub for global exchange through a spectrum of events and programs tailored to the unique characteristics of the district, a locale that hosts a significant population of international students,” Lee said.
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