Cittaslow Yesan Awarded ‘Champion of Cittaslow Corea 2024’

Cittaslow Yesan was honored with the ‘Champion of Cittaslow Corea 2024’ award at the 2025 Cittaslow International Assembly, held in Wando from 19 to 22, June.

The 'Champion of Cittaslow Corea' award is presented annually to one of the Korean member cities of the Cittaslow Network that has demonstrated outstanding achievements both domestically and internationally. This year marked the inaugural edition of the award, and Cittaslow Yesan was selected as its first recipient.

Cittaslow Yesan was recognized for its exemplary policies on ecological and cultural heritage preservation, as well as for its international outreach, including a ‘friendship city agreement’ with Chishang, a Cittaslow in Taiwan, which strengthened partnerships between two cittaslow cities. In addition, Yesan received an ‘award’ of environmental and energy policeis at the ceremony of Chiocciola orange 2024 from the Cittaslow International , further solidifying its achievements both in Korea and abroad.

The award acknowledges Cittaslow Yesan’s active efforts to embody the philosophy of Cittaslow—the aesthetics of slow living—by preserving its unique culture and natural environment, and promoting sustainable, community-led development.

Mayor Choi Jae-ku of Cittaslow Yesan personally received the award from Bon Son, coordinator of the  Cittaslow Corea Network, and Pier Giorgio Oliveti, secretary general of Cittaslow International. The award ceremony took place in the presence of mayors and officials of Cittaslows who attended at general assembly.