Mayor Lurie Strengthens San Francisco Ties in Seoul

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie announced plans for his first international trip as mayor, with visits scheduled to Shanghai and Seoul in the coming months to strengthen cultural, artistic, and tourism ties between the city and its Asian sister cities.

The trip, confirmed by the mayor’s office in mid-April 2026, marks Lurie’s inaugural overseas engagement since taking office in January. Both Shanghai and Seoul are officially designated sister cities of San Francisco, with longstanding agreements aimed at fostering mutual understanding through exchanges in education, business, and the arts.

According to a statement released by the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs, the visit will focus on deepening collaboration in the arts and culture sectors, promoting tourism, and exploring opportunities for sustainable urban development. Officials said the itinerary includes meetings with municipal leaders, cultural institution directors, and representatives from creative industries in both cities.

In Shanghai, Mayor Lurie is expected to visit the Shanghai Museum and the Power Station of Art, two prominent cultural venues that have previously partnered with San Francisco institutions on joint exhibitions. The mayor’s team also plans to engage with officials from the Shanghai Tourism Administration to discuss joint marketing strategies targeting Pacific Rim travelers.

In Seoul, the agenda includes a stop at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a hub for design and innovation that has collaborated with San Francisco’s design community on past initiatives. The mayor is also slated to meet with Seoul’s Mayor Oh Se-hoon to discuss potential cooperation in urban planning, public art installations, and technology-driven cultural programs.

San Francisco established its sister city relationship with Shanghai in 1980 and with Seoul in 1976. These partnerships have facilitated student exchanges, municipal staff training, and cultural festivals over the decades. Recent years have seen renewed emphasis on leveraging these ties for economic and creative collaboration, particularly in film, digital media, and green urban design.

The Mayor’s Office said the trip aligns with San Francisco’s broader strategy to enhance its global cultural presence and attract international visitors following a rebound in tourism post-pandemic. Officials noted that both Shanghai and Seoul are among the top source countries for international tourists visiting San Francisco, with growing interest in cultural tourism.

While specific dates for the trip have not yet been finalized, the mayor’s office indicated that the visits are expected to occur in late spring or early summer 2026, subject to scheduling and diplomatic coordination. No official cost estimates or funding sources for the trip have been disclosed publicly as of mid-April.

Mayor Lurie, a former nonprofit leader and business executive elected in November 2024, has emphasized international engagement as a key component of his administration’s vision for San Francisco. His approach highlights soft diplomacy through culture and innovation, distinguishing his foreign policy outreach from traditional trade-focused missions.

The announcement comes amid broader efforts by U.S. Cities to maintain and revitalize international city-to-city ties amid shifting federal foreign policy priorities. Municipal diplomacy, particularly through sister city programs, has seen increased attention as a channel for subnational engagement on global challenges such as climate change, public health, and cultural preservation.