Mayor Lee is Renovating Seoul

The Los Angeles Times reported on September 11 that Seoul is coming out of its former grim image and receiving a makeover under the leadership of Mayor Lee Myung-bak.

Page three of the newspaper stated, “After surviving the Korean War, Seoul has lived the 1960’s and 70’s with the slogan ‘faster and cheaper’ under growth-led policies,” and added, “Now, the capital of the 11th largest economy in the world, Seoul, is in the process of rebuilding its past, and Mayor Lee leads the way.”

The Los Angeles Times gave precise details of some of the projects being led by the mayor, such as the Cheonggyecheon restoration project, the lawn in front of city hall, releasing wild animals in Ttukseom, turning the U.S. military base in Yongsan into “Seoul’s version of Central Park,” the bus-only lane, and the makeover of the traffic card.

zsh75@donga.com