Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon visits Peking University

Dec 04, 2018

Peking University, Nov. 30, 2018: On the afternoon of November 26th, Park Won-soon, mayor of Seoul, paid a visit to Peking University and delivered a speech in its No.2 Gymnasium. Accompanying him were Yim Geun-hyeong, ambassador for international relations of Seoul, Kim Eui-kyeom, South Korea’s presidential spokesperson, Kang Pil-young, Seoul’s director-general for international cooperation, and Joo Yong-tae, director-general of Seoul’s Tourism and Sports Bureau.

At around three o’clock in the afternoon, PKU Council Chairman Qiu Shuiping and PKU Executive Vice President Tian Gang met with the delegation at Linhuxuan. Qiu extended a warm welcome to Park for his visit and wished him a successful speech. Qiu noted that Peking University has close ties with South Korea. Sino-Korea friendship dates back to ancient times and Peking University specially set up the department of Korean in its School of Foreign Languages. Many political leaders of South Korea had also paid visits to Peking University.

Qiu Shuiping meeting with Park Won-soon

Park, in return, appreciated the warm reception. He recognized that Peking University stands among the top-level universities worldwide and as the mayor of Seoul, he considered it a great honor to be a guest of the well-known university. According to Park, universities act as a vital driver in cultural exchange, one of the most important aspects of the Sino-Korea relationship. There are also many Chinese students studying in Seoul. Therefore, Park hoped that the students from both countries, with their deep understanding of each other, would shoulder the significant task of shaping the future of Sino-Korea relations and contribute to the world’s prosperity.

The symposium was held by Fan Shiming, a professor from School of International Studies and deputy dean of PKU’s Yenching Academy. Park addressed on the topic “Seek the New Future of Northeast Asia in Cities”, sharing his experience in the fields of urban environment, urban innovation, and citizen management.

Park Won-soon Addressing

Park considered the rapid growth of the society as a double-edged sword, for it may lead to urban problems such as social division and air pollution. To solve all these problems is a national issue and the key to a country’s sustainability. Apart from solving urban problems, cities will also play a central role in solving environmental problems. Currently, Seoul has shaken off the traditional vision of “Development the Highest” and the omnipotence of GDP and has revived its cities by building a number of urban regeneration projects, such as cultural reserve bases, 7017 Seoul Road, and the Cheonggyecheon recreation space.

After the lecture, Mr. Park communicated with students present on environmental protection, youth employment, and other issues. With the Chinese phrase “加油 (Go for it),” Mr. Park encouraged his audience to bridge China and South Korea and to lead the future development of Northeast Asia. He hoped that China and South Korea can move forward hand in hand on the path toward a new future.

Written by: Guo Xinyu
Edited by: Zhou Yijing
Source: PKU News (in Chinese)

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