A photo showing the glass facade of Seoul City Hall / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Sunday that it plans to improve its official foreign-language website this year by integrating global data to enrich the content and better showcase the capital city's competitiveness on the international stage.

Currently, the city operates five versions of its website, translated into four languages: English, Japanese, Chinese and Simplified Chinese. There is also an auto-translated version of the site. As a key platform for introducing Seoul to international visitors, the city government recognizes the website plays a vital role in shaping first impressions of the city.

Last year, the foreign-language versions of the website saw a total of 18.94 million visits, which was an 86 percent increase in traffic from 2020 to 2024.

This year, the city government plans to analyze search volume data from international search engines to shape its content strategy. The aim is to develop engaging materials that will attract and captivate international visitors.

For example, search engine trends show that foreign visitors frequently look up the current time and weather in Seoul. In response, the city added real-time weather and Korea Standard Time information to the website's main page.

Acknowledging the global interest in the Korean Wave, or Hallyu, Seoul plans to promote the city's brand and key policies through widely accessible content on global streaming platforms.

For example, the city government plans to highlight its health care initiatives, such as Wrist Doctor 9988 and Seoul's medical tourism website, by integrating them into the storyline of the popular Korean drama, "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call." The show has gained significant attention both in Korea and internationally through Netflix, providing an opportunity to reach a global audience.

After being recognized as the best city for solo travelers by the global travel platform Tripadvisor in February, Seoul will also create content that highlights its appeal as a premier destination for people traveling alone.

The city government also plans to develop GPS-based guides introducing the Han River to foreign visitors and create curated content for exploring the city's subway system.

"Seoul is actively producing tailored content to enhance website engagement and is committed to swiftly identifying foreign visitors' needs," said Min Soo-hong, head of the city government's Public Relations Bureau. "We aim to establish the platform as a reliable global resource that provides timely and accurate information."