•  Introduction of short-term passes for the Climate Card and operation of the Hangang River Bus, alongside hosting Game & E-Sports Week
•  Expansion of support for Seoul Learn beneficiaries, increased assistance for pregnant women, expanded kids’ cafes, and enhanced mental health management services

The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) has published an e-book titled ‘Changes to life in Seoul in the second half of 2024’ on Mon, Jul. 1. The e-book aims to provide easily understandable information on new projects, upcoming facilities, and changes to civic life expected in the latter half of the year.

The ‘Changes to life in Seoul in the second half of 2024’ consists of 36 projects in 12 fields under ‘Attractive’ and ‘Inclusive.’

* ‘Changes to life in Seoul in the second half of 2024’ e-book (Korean): https://ebook.seoul.go.kr/Viewer/6ID9VEU4JTK5

Attractive Seoul

Starting in July, the SMG plans to add ‘Short-term Pass’ for visitors to Seoul, and to commence the operation of the Hangang River Bus (tentative name) in October, opening a new era in water-based public transportation.

The ‘Hangang River Bus’ will connect seven piers between Magok and Jamsil, and operate every 15 minutes during commuting hours, making 68 trips each weekday, both upriver and downriver. The one-way fare is KRW 3,000, and passengers can enjoy unlimited boarding with the Climate Card (priced at KRW 68,000).

In September, the ‘2024 Seoul Game & E-Sports Week’ will be held from Fri, Sep. 6, to Sun, Sep. 8. This event, at Kyung Hee University’s Grand Peace Hall and Crown Concert Hall for three days from Wed, Sep. 6 to Sun, Sep. 8. In addition to the famous international e-sports tournaments, game development competition and mentoring programs will be held during the period.

October will see the launch of the ‘2024 Seoul Beauty Week,’ which leads global beauty trends, and the ‘Seoul Smart Life Week,’ which showcases the future vision of Seoul as a smart city.

During the 2024 Seoul Beauty Week from Tue, Oct. 1 to Thu, Oct. 3, various citizen participation programs, including product exhibitions of promising brands, export and investment consultations, and makeup shows, will be held at DDP. This year, new beauty pop-up stores will open in Myeongdong and Hongdae from Sat, Sep. 28 to Thu, Oct. 3, offering an opportunity to experience diverse beauty brand products in advance. Visitors can simply drop by without registration.

The ‘Seoul Smart Life Week,’ themed ‘The Future of Urban Living Transformed by Advanced Technology,’ will be held at COEX from Thu, Oct. 10 to Sat, Oct. 12. The event will feature exhibitions, an international forum, and the Seoul Smart City Prize Awards Ceremony, allowing attendees to experience the daily life of the future city.

In December, the 2024 Seoul Con will also be held in an expanded format. This year, it will run for five days, from Sat, Dec. 28 to Wed, Jan. 1, at DDP, with various programs, including games, content, webtoons, etc. More details will be announced on the website (seoul-con.com/en).

In the heart of Seoul, where the past and present converge, the State Council Site (Uijeongbuji in Korean, 76-14 Sejong-ro) will be turn into Uijeongbuji Historic Square to offer citizens a place to relax while encountering traces of history.

The State Council Site, once the highest central administrative office during the Joseon dynasty, served as the political and administrative center of the time. Through excavation and reconstruction, the SMG will recreate the building remains and provide green spaces and amenities, aiming to offer this urban historical haven to citizens by the second half of 2024.

In November, the Gwanaksan branch of the Seoul Hiking Tourism Center and the Seoul Photographic Art Museum will open.

The Gwanaksan branch will be added to the existing Bukhansan and Bugaksan branches, providing multilingual hiking tourism information and various convenience services such as hiking equipment rentals.

As the first public museum in Korea dedicated to photography, the Seoul Photographic Art Museum will establish a comprehensive history of modern and contemporary Korean photography spanning 140 years. Except for paid exhibitions, anyone can visit for free without reservation.

Inclusive Seoul

Since its launch, there have been consistent calls to expand the support targets of the free educational platform ‘Seoul Learn.’ Starting in the second half of 2024, the eligibility criteria for joining Seoul Learn will be expanded. From July onwards, the income criteria will be relaxed, and additional information will be provided through the Seoul Learn website (slearn.seoul.go.kr).

The SMG will support medical expenses for pregnant women aged 35 and over, who often face high medical costs, to ensure systematic prenatal care and healthy childbirth.

The SMG will provide up to KRW 500,000 per pregnancy for outpatient visits and tests to check the health of the mother and fetus during pregnancy. This support will be retroactively applied to medical expenses incurred from January 2024. Applications can be made by visiting the community health center or online at All Information Master Key. (https://umppa.seoul.go.kr)

Additionally, the number of ‘Seoul Kids Café’ indoor play spaces will be increased from 74 to 130 locations to provide safe and fun play areas for children. Reservations can be made at the Seoul Kium Day Care Portal. (icare.seoul.go.kr)

Starting in July, the SMG will launch a new Mental Health Management Project to provide financial support for professional psychological counseling services aimed at addressing the mental health needs of Seoul citizens experiencing depression and anxiety. Additionally, from September, the Korea Counseling Center for Fertility and Depression will be established in the southwest region to further support these mental health needs.

Starting in October, the SMG will implement a pilot program called Green Driving Mileage to reward citizens practicing eco-friendly driving to combat climate change. Furthermore, in the first half of 2024, the SMG will continue to implement the Energy Reporting and Rating System for Buildings that account for 67% of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions.

For private buildings, non-residential buildings with a gross floor area of 3,000㎡ or more are subject to the Energy Reporting and Grading System for Buildings. Reports can be submitted through the ‘Eco-Friendly Building Support Center website’ (https://ecobuilding.seoul.go.kr). Buildings rated A to B will be designated as ‘Low Carbon Buildings’ and promoted through the official SMG channel, while those rated D to E will receive free consultations and interest-free loans for energy efficiency improvements.