On November 26, 2025, the Seoul Metropolitan Government awarded honorary citizenship to 17 foreign nationals from 16 countries in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the city. The ceremony, held at Seoul City Hall, was attended by Vice Mayor Kim Tae-kyoon and the invited foreign ambassadors.
This year’s recipients were honored for their achievements in various fields, including culture, economy, welfare, technology, civic engagement, and enhancing the city’s international image. Awardees came from Nepal, Taipei, Germany, Morocco, Mongolia, the United States, Vietnam, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, the United Kingdom, India, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Peru.
One of the honorary citizens was Anna Rihlmann, better known as Anna Yoon, who is a German-born freelance artist working in theater and film. She has lived in Korea for 11 years and considers herself a Seoul citizen. She served as a reporter for the Korean Cultural Center in Berlin, promoting Seoul to German-speaking audiences. She has also reinterpreted traditional Korean folktales through theater, contributing to Seoul’s creative arts scene.
Anna Rihlmann poses with the German ambassador to Korea, Georg Schmidt, right, and Martin Kasperek, left, First Secretary, cultural affairs at the German embassy.
Speaking about the recognition, she recalled what she had promised herself a long time ago. “I promised myself that one day I would live here. After many years of coming and going as a student for internships and then for my master’s degree, I now live in the city I once dreamed of. I think the fact that you can experience art at any time of the day made me feel a deep connection to the city”, she told Pressenza Press.
A recognition letter and medallion from Kim Tae Kyoon, the vice mayor of Seoul.
“To me, not only culture, but also political and social participation are crucial. For two years, I have served on the Seoul Council as a Foreign Representative in the Cultural Diversity and Human Rights section, representing foreigners living in Seoul. On various occasions, we had the chance to assert the needs of foreign communities and drafted clauses to improve rights.”
The honorary citizenship program was first introduced in 1958 as “contributory citizenship,” created to recognize foreign nationals and visiting dignitaries who assisted in Seoul’s post-war reconstruction. Over time, it evolved into the current Honorary Citizenship system, celebrating individuals who contribute meaningfully to Seoul’s growth, development, and global standing.
Recent government data shows that more than 2.8 million foreign nationals reside in South Korea, including long-term residents, migrant workers, students, and naturalized citizens. Over half of these foreign residents live in the Seoul metropolitan area. In response, local governments such as the Seoul Metropolitan Government provide multicultural festivals, interpretation services, and inclusion programs to support diverse communities.
Photos by Bereket Alemayehu