In Gimpo, a city defined by geography as much as ambition, a new global identity is taking shape. Flanked by rivers and canals, bordered by the Han River to the north and positioned directly across from North Korea, Gimpo has long occupied one of the most symbolic spaces on the peninsula. Today, it is leveraging that symbolism, along with rapid population growth, expanding transport links and rising international mobility, to reimagine itself as a global-facing city built on livability, cultural

Known mainly for its factories and shopping areas, Namdong-gu is now trying to connect with the wider world, from attracting travelers to helping local firms reach abroad. The district has long served as one of Incheon’s key industrial bases, anchored by the Namdong National Industrial Complex, while Guwol-dong’s shopping streets and restaurants have made it a major consumption hub for residents. Now, officials say the district is looking to step up its engagement with the global community. Leve

Seodaemun-gu in Seoul has long served as one of South Korea’s leading education districts, being home to nine universities, including some of the country’s top institutions. The district is now expanding beyond its traditional academic role by supporting international students’ settlement and integration into Korean society while helping them build careers beyond their studies. “Seodaemun-gu will offer diverse programs linking international students with local communities and enterprises so that

Instead of waiting for demographic trends to dictate its future, Jeonbuk State, better known as North Jeolla Province, is taking the initiative. By building a system where foreign students become workers and long-term residents through policies the province now has control of, Gov. Kim Kwan-young said Jeonbuk has reached a turning point. “Jeonbuk cannot rely on old population models anymore,” Kim said in an interview with The Korea Herald. “We need talent — people who study here, work here, rais

In Yeongdeungpo-gu, where the legislative corridors surrounding the National Assembly meet the commercial power of Seoul’s financial core, a new global narrative is emerging. Driven by global mobility, the district has become a convergence point for finance, policymaking and art, making it one of Seoul’s most globally attuned urban environments. Within the Global Thinkers framework, Yeongdeungpo-gu’s strengths take shape along two trajectories: International Living Standard, underscored by one o

Gangwon State, home to South Korea’s most iconic natural landscapes, has long been the country’s leading leisure and sports destination and a recognized tourism powerhouse. Today, the mountainous state is gaining global recognition beyond its traditional image, emerging as an industrial growth hub with rapidly expanding exports and rising international investment, while further strengthening its status as a cultural icon where major global events converge. “During my term, I have made relentless

In ever-evolving Jongno, long known as the symbolic heart of the nation, centuries of royal history, dense tourism flows and contemporary cultural experiences sit side by side. Here, palaces, old neighborhoods and public squares are not just historical landmarks; these global-facing assets shape millions of visitors' understanding of Korea. Within the Global Thinkers framework, Jongno’s strengths converge most clearly in one area: the Global Culture Gateway badge, which recognizes cities and dis

Located in the heart of Seoul, Jung-gu has for decades been synonymous with the city’s busiest shopping districts. The district is now seeking to deepen its global presence by uncovering its own stories, moving beyond being a place that international visitors simply pass through to become a place where people stay, build their futures and find a sense of belonging. “With a 600-year history as the heart of Korea’s capital, we will leap into a globally recognized historic and tourism district,” sa

North Chungcheong Province is emerging as one of Korea’s most dynamic hubs for global education and talent mobility, offering a model other regions are likely to watch. The province is rapidly building a stable pipeline of international students, not as a short term enrollment boost but as a strategic boost to the population and workforce for its next decade of industrial growth. That push is unfolding alongside a historic investment boom. The region secured 83.4 trillion won ($56.9 billion) in

Global Thinkers: Leadership Excellence As global competition intensifies, mid-sized cities with specialized strengths are emerging as critical nodes in the international economy. Daejeon is one of them. Long known as Korea’s “brain city,” its scientific institutions, dense innovation networks and unusually international student population have positioned the city to move beyond its role as a domestic research hub toward an outward-looking, globally connected future. “Daejeon is no longer just Ko