Gouranga Das, a professor of economics at Hanyang University’s ERICA campus / Courtesy of Gouranga Das
When Gouranga Das first turned his attention to Korea, it was purely academic. A development economist trained in India, Australia and the United States, he was drawn to the country’s extraordinary postwar growth — the so-called “Miracle on the Han River” — and its potential lessons for other developing nations, including his own.
“I came to Korea out of academic interest in its economic growth, particularly in comparison with India, which was also a developing country at the time,” Das, a professor of economics at Hanyang University’s ERICA campus, told The Korea Times. He noted that both countries share a history of colonialism and that he sought to explore lessons from Korea’s experience.
What began as a research visit eventually became a life. Teaching and employment opportunities in Korea emerged and Das stayed. He has now lived in Korea for 24 years — a journey that earned him Seoul’s honorary citizenship in November 2025.
“Alongside academic motivation, the opportunity to be employed here played an important role in my decision to settle in Korea,” he said.
Certificate of Seoul honorary citizenship / Courtesy of Gouranga Das
Seoul’s honorary citizenship program, launched in 1958, is awarded to foreign nationals who have helped connect the city with the global community or contributed to its development and residents’ well-being. As of last year, 968 individuals from 100 countries had received the designation.
For Das, receiving honorary citizenship was a meaningful acknowledgement of his contributions, particularly in education.
“It felt like my work in academia — building students’ careers and contributing through research — was being recognized,” he said.
He also described the program itself as a “good idea,” noting that it gives foreign residents a sense of recognition and encourages them to contribute further.
“It makes you feel that your efforts to contribute to society are valued,” he said. “That, in turn, can motivate foreign residents to engage more actively.”
While noting that Korea has become more foreigner-friendly in recent years, Das said challenges still exist, particularly language barriers that continue to shape people’s everyday experiences. However, he added that despite such gaps, the country is steadily evolving into a more international city.
Looking ahead, he expressed hope that the honorary citizenship program will expand to include a broader range of individuals across diverse fields and serve as a platform for building networks among global talent in Korea.
