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1,210 published stories

Economy

Construction Firms Shift Focus to Government Projects in Busan

The sluggish sales market in Busan has resulted in construction companies shifting their focus toward government projects, in search of stable construction costs and reduced risks. As a result, the latest offering by the Busan Metropolitan Corporation for private operators has garnered significant attention from at least six companies, including Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Taeyoung E&C, and Kumho E&C, all of which are expected to participate in the upcoming competition. The project will

Discover

Young Artists of Busan Featured in Busan Museum of Art's 'My Young & Sad Day' Exhibition

Busan Museum of Art will showcase the "My Young & Sad Day" exhibition from March 10 to August 6, 2023, featuring the original works of Busan-based emerging artists. The exhibition will be held in the grand exhibition room on the third floor of the main building and will introduce over 70 new works across various mediums, including painting, media, installation, and video. The exhibition is a representative program of the Busan Museum of Art, which has been discovering and introducing talented l

Politics

The Unintended Consequences of US Protectionism and Diplomatic Missteps

The recently passed US Chips and Science Act, which allocates $52 billion toward domestic semiconductor manufacturing, has raised concerns for South Korean tech firms, including Samsung and SK Hynix. The legislation contains several provisions that could potentially harm the Korean tech industry, including "toxin clauses" that require the sharing of excess profits, the disclosure of confidential production facility information, and the submission of accounting records. Toxin Clauses: Sharing E

Busan

Building a Global Hub: The Need for an English-Friendly Environment in Busan

Busan, located in the southeastern part of the Korean peninsula, has always been a crucial gateway to South Korea, with its extensive port and easy access to Southeast Asian countries. However, the language barrier remains a significant challenge for foreign visitors and residents, hindering the city's potential as a global hub. Although Busan has made efforts to promote itself as an international city, many of its residents still struggle with English, the universal language of business and com

Wellness

Japan's population decline is a much bigger risk to civilization

Japan's population decline has once again caught the attention of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who tweeted about it, warning that the "rest of the world is trending to follow." Musk cited a U.S. report on the Japanese health ministry's preliminary data showing that the number of babies born in Japan in 2022 slipped below 800,000 for the first time since such data became available in 1899. This is not the first time Musk has tweeted about depopulation in Japan. In May last year, he made a much talked-ab

Economy

Japan's Real Wages Plummet to Nine-Year Low Amid Inflation Surge

Japan's real wages have fallen by the most in almost nine years in January 2022, according to official data, as the country faces a four-decade high inflation rate that has undermined policymakers' efforts to revive the economy from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The trend is being closely watched by Bank of Japan officials, who have repeatedly stated that wage hikes, coupled with 2% inflation, are essential to scaling back the central bank's loose monetary policy. However, the reality is

Economy

Depopulation in Yeongdo-gu: Can Tourism Alone Revitalize Busan's Struggling Districts?

Busan's Yeongdo-gu district is facing a serious depopulation crisis, raising concerns among local policymakers and residents alike. The district's population decline is most severe in the original city center, with Yeongdo-gu being the closest to what an aging Busan may look like in the future. This trend could have severe long-term consequences for the city's economic activity, social cohesion, and public services. According to a recent academic paper published in the Journal of Tourism Manage

Busan

Busan's Population Decline: Urgent Need for Sustainable Job Creation as Incheon Rises as a Competitor

Busan, the second-largest city in South Korea, is facing a population decline crisis due to a sharp outflow of young people and a declining birth rate. The lack of quality job opportunities and career prospects for the city's residents is a major contributing factor to the population decline. Despite the city's efforts to revitalize the economy through tourism-based industries, the reliance on low-wage, low-welfare jobs is not a sustainable solution for the city's long-term economic growth and s