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[Uncharted Koreatown] Seoul and San Francisco—A Sister City Connection Across the Pacific

Updated: Apr 6



Sister Cities of San Francisco Sign | Photo © KARA SF, 2025.
Sister Cities of San Francisco Sign | Photo © KARA SF, 2025.

Did you know that Seoul and San Francisco are sister cities? Since 1976, the two have shared an official partnership, fostering dynamic exchanges in culture, business, and innovation. Though separated by 5,617 miles (9,040 kilometers), these cities are connected in ways that go far beyond geography.


Finding Seoul in the Heart of San Francisco

At the bustling intersection of Powell and Market, where San Francisco’s iconic cable cars turn around, a signpost proudly marks the city’s 19 sister cities. Among them, one points westward toward Seoul—a quiet but powerful reminder of the deep ties between these two metropolises. But this connection isn’t just symbolic. If you were to travel directly west from that very spot, you’d land in Seoul—more specifically, near Gangnam. It’s no coincidence: San Francisco and Seoul share nearly the same latitude, linking their most vibrant commercial districts along an invisible line across the Pacific.


The Starfield Library at COEX, Gangnam District, is a top shopping and cultural destination in the heart of Seoul. Photo by Afrina Huzaimi (@afrinahuzaimi98) on Unsplash.
The Starfield Library at COEX, Gangnam District, is a top shopping and cultural destination in the heart of Seoul. Photo by Afrina Huzaimi (@afrinahuzaimi98) on Unsplash.

Parallel Destinies: Innovation, Culture, and Global Influence

Both cities stand as global hubs of technology, the arts, and progressive thought. San Francisco, the birthplace of Silicon Valley, and Seoul, a leader in tech and entertainment, have shaped industries that reach far beyond their borders. Their skylines may look different, but their energy—restless, creative, and forward-thinking—runs in parallel.


Bridging the Pacific, One Story at a Time

Next time you find yourself at Powell and Market, take a moment to find the Seoul sign. Imagine the journey it represents—one that stretches across the ocean yet keeps these two dynamic cities connected. From bustling markets to innovation hubs, from street food stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants, from tech startups to centuries-old traditions—San Francisco and Seoul continue to inspire and influence one another in ways that make the world feel just a little smaller.

 

 
 
 

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