SKorea ready to help Bangladesh build a model city

South Korea is willing to share its ideas and experiences with Bangladesh to build a model city blending the nature and modern technologies so that all could live there in peace and happiness. 

Both Dhaka and Seoul, the capital cities of Bangladesh and South Korea respectively, are now overcrowded with their growing population. 

South Korea has already found a solution through developing Sejong City where 60 percent of nation's administrative offices, including Prime Minister's Office and other ministries, have been relocated. 

"We're ready to share our ideas and experiences. We welcome any cooperation with Bangladesh," Sejong City Mayor Dr Lee Choon-hee told UNB at his office. 

He said the city now has planned to have the National Assembly and the Presidential residence shifted in order to stand strong as the nation's administrative capital and the new heart of Korea. 

The construction of Sejong city is a major Korean government project slated for completion in three phases leading up to 2030. "It'll be a good example in the world as many capital cities are already overcrowded," said the city mayor. 

In Dhaka, the growing population and traffic congestion have become synonymous with its dwindling livability and quality of life. 

Responding to a question, the Sejong mayor said it will take only two hours to reach Sejong from other major cities in South Korea once the project is completed. 

From Seoul, he said, it is only 120 kms and it will take only 40 minutes by train to reach Sejong. "Half of the city area has already been constructed." 

Mayor Choon-hee said it will completely be a different city after 5-10 years with world-class smart education and other facilities, including safety and reliability, in place. 

He said Sejong is an eco-friendly green city where flowers blossom all the year round. "Sejong is composed of a double-green belt, it keeps a green space in the centre of the city, places a residential space around it and then surrounds it with greeneries again," he said. 

Sejong is named after King Sejong, the fourth king of the greatest kings in Korean history. 

The mayor said Sejong wants to be a world-class city with all the dreams and hopes of the people as the name literally means 'the world's best'. 

Earlier, he interacted with journalists from over 50 countries who are participating in the World Journalists' Conference 2018 that began on March 4. 

President of Journalists' Association of Korea Jung Kyu Sung was also present.