Please allow me to warmly welcome all of you to Seoul and Seoul City Hall!
Our new City Hall building is open after 4 years of construction.
The most outstanding aspect is that the old City Hall was not destroyed - it stands in harmony with the new building.
Also we prepared as many spaces as possible for the public - not just for civil servants - within the new City Hall.
The new City Hall is a modern reinterpretation that embodies the beauty of the eaves of Korea’s centuries-old houses, known as Hanok.
The design saves energy by casting shadows that keep the building cool in summer.
At the same time, it makes the building warmer in winter.
Meanwhile, the old City Hall was renovated into a library that provides the public with a pleasant space to read and spend their spare time.
Now, let’s take a look at how the City Hall was transformed into a public space.
On the first floor of the new City Hall, we can see the art work installation called ‘Metaseosa Seobeol’ and Vertical Garden.
‘Metaseosa Seobeol’ represents the hope of Seoul’s citizens.
At the old City Hall, now Seoul Metropolitan Library, the former Policy Planning Room and former Mayor’s Office are located on the third floor.
You can also discover the old Seoul at the City Hall Relic Exhibition Room on the fifth floor.
You may wonder what the space where I work looks like.
So, we provide a place for relaxing and a special exhibition corner to learn about the Mayor’s Office on the sixth floor of the new City Hall.
You can get a sense of the space where the Mayor works.
On the eighth and tenth floors, Sky Plaza awaits.
It is a place citizens can use freely.
And the pride and joy of the City Hall – “Citizens’ Hall”It is located on the first and second underground floors.
It is a place to hear the public’s voices so as to better communicate with them.
At the Citizens’ Hall, members of the public are able to freely express what they think and creatively express themselves.
Citizens are the owners of this place.
Seoul Speakers' Corner is also in here.
And a diverse range of discussions, exhibitions, performances and other citizens’ activities take place at the Citizens’ Hall.
Now, let’s start our tour!