What is a World Design Capital?
The World Design Capital is the center of rich culture and design philosophy World Design Capital (WDC) refers to a city that develops its economy and culture by utilizing design, thereby showing distinguished performance in improving the quality of life of its citizen and setting/practicing a design vision. To widely publicize the role of design in the process of developing the social, cultural and economic life of a city in many cities around the world, the WDC international competition is conducted biannually to select a World Design Capital.
As a project managed by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID), the title of WDC is maintained for one year if selected. After Torino, Italy had been designated as the demonstration city for 2008, Seoul was designated as World Design Capital for 2010 through an official competition in October 2007.

Why Seoul?
Seoul, a 'soft city' with creative energy.
Seoul is a healthy ecological city with a splendid and lively natural landscape as well as being a refined cultural city with a long history and traditional culture. As the most advanced information city (based on its having the highest degree of IT infrastructure) intends to be reborn as a ‘soft city’ centered on diversity of culture and design. Seoul is taking strides towards becoming the Global Design Capital by re-creating Seoul culture through such projects as the Namsan Renaissance, the Hangang Renaissance and the Street Renaissance. Taking the concept of creative design culture and using it as a dynamic force for growth, Seoul will enhance the brand-value of the city and enrich its culture and economy considerably.

History
2007.
Designated as the World Design Capital
2008.
Established yearly road map
Signed the WDC agreement
Seoul Design Olympiad
2009.
Constructing the Foundation of Design
Holding the preliminary events for WDC
Overseas Marketing
Opening of Dongdaemun History & Culture Park
Seoul Design Olympiad
2010.
Signature Events for WDC Seoul 2010
Design Events for Citizens
Building the Design Infrastructure
Design Seoul City Branding
2011.
Opening Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Establishing Seoul as a World-Class Design Hub

Vision
The ultimate value of design is in improving the quality of life for the people and in creating the harmonious world in which communication flows seamlessly. World Design Capital Seoul 2010 seeks to create a city of "Design for All"  that is full of joy for its citizens, together with its citizens, based on the 4U.
- Universal: A comfortable and sustainable city that is centered on people
- Ubiquitous: A city that allows anywhere, anytime seamless communication
- Unique: A differentiated city that expresses uniquely through distinguished characteristics of Seoul
- By U: A creative city being formed by every citizen of Seoul