Example-1 South Korea’s administrative capital, Sejong, was established in 2012 to ease the excessive concentration of population, government institutions, and economic activity in Seoul. Today, it is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading examples of sustainable and smart urban planning. The city is home to the Prime Minister’s Office, along with many of the country’s key ministries and government agencies.
Sejong was designed from the outset according to a comprehensive master plan based on extensive social, economic, and environmental research. The city is divided into six functional zones, government administration, culture and arts, healthcare, research and innovation, urban development, and infrastructure. This systematic planning enabled Sejong to develop in an organized and balanced manner from its earliest stages.
Its reputation as a model green city is largely attributed to its transportation policies. Private vehicles are restricted in the city’s central district, while dedicated Bus Rapid Transit lanes form the backbone of public transportation. The city also features bicycle paths powered by solar energy, autonomous public transportation systems, and governance that actively incorporates public opinion into decisions on city management and environmental policies. These innovations have made Sejong a globally recognized model for sustainable urban development.
Example-2 Songdo, a district in Incheon, was developed between 2002 and 2009 through cooperation between the Incheon Metropolitan City and private enterprises. The project aimed to establish a major business, trade, and biotechnology hub for Northeast Asia and resulted in the creation of a special economic and residential district.
Built on reclaimed land along the Yellow Sea coast, Songdo is distinguished by its striking architecture, advanced waste management system, sensor-based infrastructure, recycled greywater network, and environmentally friendly buildings. Nearly 40 percent of the district is covered with parks, trees, shrubs, and green spaces, giving it one of the highest proportions of green area per resident not only in South Korea but also globally.
Songdo’s urban design incorporates elements inspired by internationally renowned landmarks, including New York City’s Central Park and the canals of Venice, creating a distinctive architectural identity. Meanwhile, Internet of Things sensors embedded throughout roads, buildings, and traffic signals enable city authorities to monitor and manage traffic flow, air quality, and energy consumption through an integrated smart management system.
These examples are particularly relevant as Mongolia moves forward with plans to establish the new city of Kharkhorum in the Orkhon Valley based on similar principles. The government aims to develop the new settlement according to the concepts of sustainability, smart urban planning, and green development while introducing world-class innovations and advanced technologies. The experiences of South Korea’s successful new cities are therefore expected to serve as valuable references and practical guides.
For Mongolia, which has limited experience in building entirely new cities and has often struggled to successfully implement major infrastructure and development projects, cooperation with South Korea—whose expertise in urban planning is internationally recognized—represents a significant opportunity. If effectively utilized, such collaboration could provide both technical knowledge and practical experience essential to the successful realization of the project.
In late 2022, President U.Khurelsukh issued a decree to revive Mongolia’s ancient capital by establishing a new urban settlement in the Orkhon Valley, located in Kharkhorin soum of Uvurkhangai Province. The initiative seeks not only to restore the historical significance of Kharkhorum but also to create a modern city that reflects Mongolia’s long-term development aspirations.
In the following years, the government established several dedicated institutions, including the National Committee responsible for the construction of New Kharkhorum, the city administration, and the Governor’s Office. Preliminary decisions were also made regarding the city’s location and transportation corridors, while the Urban Planning and Research Institute of Ulaanbaatar was tasked with preparing the city’s initial master plan and development concept.
However, the proposal was met with strong criticism from professionals in the fields of architecture, urban planning, and engineering. Experts argued that the plan failed to satisfy professional standards and lacked sufficient scientific and historical research. “The government approached the highly responsible task of rebuilding a historic city far too casually and without adequate professional consideration. The project should be redesigned by qualified experts based on comprehensive research,” architects, city planners, and engineers stated in a unified criticism.
As a result, the government announced an open international competition in 2024 to develop a new master concept for Kharkhorum. Consulting teams representing Mongolia, China, Japan, Russia, and the United Kingdom participated in preparing the city’s revised master plan and feasibility study, which were subsequently finalized. The next stage, which is turning these plans into reality, is expected to involve South Korean experts playing a central role.
During the State Visit of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to Mongolia during the National Naadam Festival at the invitation of President U.Khurelsukh, the two countries elevated cooperation on the project. As part of the visit, South Korea’s National Agency for Administrative City Construction and the Governor’s Office of Kharkhorum signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in city planning and development.
The presidents of both countries emphasized that the construction of Kharkhorum would become a major new area of bilateral cooperation. South Korean media also highlighted that Korean specialists would play an important role in the city’s development, creating an opportunity to share the country’s accumulated knowledge and urban planning expertise with Mongolia, often referred to in South Korea as its “third neighbor”.
As Mongolia embarks on one of the most ambitious urban development projects in its modern history, South Korea’s successful experiences in Sejong and Songdo demonstrate how long-term planning, technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and citizen-centered governance can be combined to build cities that are not only functional but also resilient and livable. Whether Kharkhorum can follow a similar path will depend on how effectively these lessons are adapted to Mongolia’s unique historical, geographical, and social context.
According to the Urban Planning and Development Policy Department under the Governor’s Office of New Kharkhorum City, “As part of the project to revive the historic city, we are working closely with South Korean government agencies, international organizations, professional firms, and private enterprises. Among the key partners are the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the National Agency for Administrative City Construction (NAACC), and the Korea National Railway (KNR).”
The department further added that “Drawing on its successful experience in developing Sejong City within a relatively short period, the NAACC will assist in introducing smart and green urban development concepts, provide professional and methodological support for city planning, and strengthen human resource capacity. Meanwhile, official discussions with KOICA are continuing in phases on cooperation related to Kharkhorum’s master plan, urban development, the creation of a new tourism district, an integrated transportation and logistics system, and an innovation hub. Under a memorandum of understanding signed with Mongolian Railway, the Korea National Railway is jointly preparing the detailed design and feasibility study for the proposed Ulaanbaatar–New Kharkhorum railway.”
“In addition, South Korea’s Soosung Engineering Company, together with engineers and specialists involved in the country’s Smart City projects, is providing policy-level advisory services based on its extensive experience in urban development, transportation, and infrastructure planning,” said the department’s officials.
Besides South Korea, Mongolia is also cooperating with urban planning experts and relevant organizations from countries such as Japan and Turkey. In essence, the government has mobilized considerable financial and human resources to involve as many experienced domestic and international experts as possible in the effort to revive the ancient capital of Kharkhorum.
The challenge now is to advance the project’s core task, the actual construction of the city, with the same level of determination, coordination, and strategic planning.
The government has already approved the 2026–2028 Action Plan for the Restoration and Development of Kharkhorum City. According to the plan, construction of the central district’s engineering infrastructure, utility networks, and four residential zones designed to accommodate up to 500,000 residents was scheduled to begin this spring. Preparatory work for building major transportation, energy, telecommunications, and road infrastructure, as well as relocating selected central government institutions, was also expected to commence this year and be completed within the following two years.
Unfortunately, little visible progress has been made toward these ambitious goals. Current activities are largely limited to establishing forest belts and green spaces, restoring rivers and lakes, and improving water resources, important environmental measures, but only a small part of the city’s overall development.
Building an entirely new city is undoubtedly a difficult undertaking, particularly for a country like Mongolia, which has limited experience in large-scale urban planning and continues to face challenges in effectively managing and developing even its existing capital. Under such circumstances, careful planning supported by comprehensive research and sound calculations is essential. However, if caution becomes an excuse for delaying the project’s fundamental construction work, Mongolia risks squandering valuable opportunities for future development.
During the four years since the presidential decree to rebuild Kharkhorum was issued, considerable effort has gone into establishing committees and administrative bodies, adopting legislation, and drafting regulations. The latest focus has shifted to bringing together the world’s best expertise under a common goal, with South Korean institutions now becoming key partners at the government-policy level. Yet it remains uncertain how much more time this process will require or how many more construction seasons may pass before substantial development begins.
Another issue concerns the city’s overall development concept. Both the presidential decree and the State Great Khural’s resolution on restoring Kharkhorum specify that the city should be planned and developed around its historical identity. However, officials from the Governor’s Office now frequently describe the project as one modeled after South Korea’s Sejong and Songdo.
At the same time, some cabinet ministers and government officials have promoted different visions, suggesting that Kharkhorum should become a special economic zone and a light industrial center based on agriculture. Just a few days ago, L.Khaltar, head of the Governor’s Office of Kharkhorum City, stated that the city would establish a free agricultural zone and develop a tourism cluster centered on Ugii Lake.
These differing statements reveal an apparent lack of consensus regarding the city’s long-term identity and development priorities. Before entering negotiations with international partners on adopting global best practices and attracting highly qualified experts, the government should first resolve these inconsistencies in policy, communication, and strategic vision. Only then can cooperation with international partners produce a coherent and effective roadmap for rebuilding Mongolia’s ancient capital.
