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Seongnam Becomes Wroclaw’s 18th Sister City—and Its Second in South Korea!
Seongnam, South Korea, has become Wrocław’s 18th sister city. On Friday (October 9), Mayor Jacek Sutryk and Mayor Sang-Jin Shin officially signed a partnership agreement covering economic and cultural cooperation. Seongnam is a city with a population of nearly one million, often referred to as the “Korean Silicon Valley.”
The city is famous for being the birthplace of, among other things, world-famous video games, as well as for its development of artificial intelligence and future technologies. Interestingly, just half a century ago, the area that is now Seongnam was home to farmland and impoverished neighborhoods. Today, it is one of the most technologically advanced places in Asia.
Seongnam demonstrates how, within a single generation, it is possible to build an economy based on knowledge and new technologies. Wrocław, too, is committed to science, innovation, and entrepreneurship. We want our partnership to yield tangible results: business connections, joint projects, and development opportunities for young people.
Jacek Sutryk, Mayor of Wrocław
Seongnam is Wrocław’s second Korean sister city (Cheongju became the first in 2023). Friday’s signing of the agreement marks the next stage in a partnership that has been developing for two years. In November 2024, the cities signed a memorandum of friendly relations, and in 2025, the Wrocław Agglomeration Development Agency and the Seongnam Business Promotion Agency concluded an agreement on economic cooperation. The city council’s decision on the partnership was made in September of last year. Last summer, students from High School No. 3 visited the sister city.
Representatives of the local governments of Wrocław and Seongnam signed a formal partnership agreement on Friday at Wrocław City Hall.
“Today’s signing of the sister city agreement between Seongnam and Wrocław is an important milestone in further strengthening the trust and friendship that our cities have built over the years.” “I believe that active exchange between cities is key to deepening cooperation and strengthening relations between nations.” — said Sang-Jin Shin, mayor of Seongnam.
Mayor Sang-Jin Shin emphasized that the delegation that arrived in Wrocław included 10 representatives from companies in the defense sector. Topics of discussion with Polish partners include drone and anti-drone systems, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
Thousands of kilometers separate our cities, but they are united by a shared interest in modern technologies, education, and economic development. I am glad that entrepreneurs interested in cooperating with Polish partners came with me. I hope that the residents of Wrocław will also get to know another side of Seongnam—our music, traditions, and culture.
Sang-Jin Shin, Mayor of Seongnam
The mayor of the Korean metropolis also hopes that the partnership just established will open up new opportunities not only in the business sector, but also in the cultural, social, and artistic spheres.
The Korean Community in Wrocław
Wrocław and Lower Silesia are among the most important centers of Korean economic presence in Poland. According to official data from August 2026, there are 312 companies with Korean capital operating in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship—nearly 44 percent of all such companies in Poland. Wrocław alone is home to nearly 200 of them.
The best-known Korean investment is located in Biskupice Podgórne. It is the LG Energy Solution plant, one of Europe’s largest production centers for electric vehicle batteries. Korean investments have also attracted suppliers, engineers, specialists, and their families to the region.
The Korean community in Lower Silesia now numbers over 5,000 people. Its presence is evident not only in the economy. There are Korean restaurants and shops in Wrocław, and students can major in Korean studies at the University of Wrocław. Korean culture is also becoming increasingly familiar to young Wrocław residents—from K-pop and TV series to cuisine and the language.
Koreans in Wrocław are no longer just investors or business visitors. They are also our neighbors, coworkers, and parents of children attending local schools. We want these relationships to develop not only in factories and offices, but also in everyday life. This is an excellent opportunity for Koreans and Wrocław residents to simply get to know each other better.
Mateusz Żak, Vice Mayor of Wrocław