{
  "id": 2094874,
  "title": "Seoul unveils plan to turn city into 24-hour destination",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/seoul-unveils-plan-to-turn-city-into-24-hour-destination",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T07:52:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/society/20260820/seoul-unveils-plan-to-turn-city-into-24-hour-destination"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seoul is set to transform its city into a non-stop destination, unveiling ambitious plans to extend its vibrant nightlife beyond regular hours. The city's government revealed the strategy on Thursday, focusing on the critical 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. window and seamlessly merging cultural, tourism and commercial hubs with enhanced transportation options.\n\nThe initiative follows a surge in international tourist arrivals and spending in Seoul. In the first half of 2023 alone, 8.23 million foreign visitors graced the capital, a 21.3% increase from the same period last year. Their collective credit card expenditures reached an impressive 5.6 trillion won ($4 billion), a remarkable 56.8% rise.\n\nTo achieve its goals, Seoul aims to generate an extra 5 trillion won annually in nighttime consumption and draw in 30 million tourists over the next five years. Four iconic locations will serve as the city's flagship nighttime landmarks: Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), Mount Nam, Gwanghwamun, and the scenic Han River. Each site will offer tailored experiences to cater to the unique atmosphere of each area.",
  "summary": "Seoul is preparing to stretch its nightlife well beyond dinner and drinks, with plans for late-night museum visits, hikes, temple meditation sessions, drone shows and food markets as part of a new push to turn the city into a 24-hour destination. The Seoul Metropolitan Government unveiled the plan Thursday, targeting the hours between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. and integrating culture, tourism and…",
  "key_points": [
    "Seoul plans to extend nightlife beyond 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.",
    "8.23 million foreign visitors in first half of 2023, 21.3% increase.",
    "Goal to generate 5 trillion won annual nighttime consumption."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Seoul's plan to extend its nightlife and merge cultural, tourism, and commercial hubs aims to capitalize on the surge in international tourists and spending, targeting increased nighttime consumption and tourist arrivals.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Seoul unveils plan to turn city into 24-hour destination",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/seoul-unveils-plan-to-turn-city-into-24-hour-destination-2096831",
        "published": "2026-08-20T08:07:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}