Busan News

Busan, South Korea – February 3, 2025 – Busan City is moving forward with plans to develop its coffee industry by integrating advanced technologies and strengthening its role as a center for coffee-related research and production. The city has been selected for the "Local Industry Collaboration Project" under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, allowing it to establish a Coffee Industry Ecosystem R&D Cluster in Yeongdo District. The initiative focuses on enhancing research and innovation in the

Busan, South Korea - The construction industry in Busan is facing its most severe crisis in recent years as soaring costs, tighter lending policies, and a sluggish housing market place mounting pressure on developers. With construction costs surging by 29% over the past three years and financial institutions imposing stricter loan requirements, small and mid-sized construction firms are being pushed to the brink of insolvency. The wave of bankruptcies among local developers is raising concerns a

Busan, South Korea – Busan has been selected as a key participant in the 2025 Large-Scale Hallyu Comprehensive Event (Beyond K Festa), a national initiative led by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST). Through this selection, the city plans to integrate Hallyu elements into its annual Busan Port Festival, expanding its appeal to a broader international audience. This initiative aligns with Busan’s ongoing efforts to diversify its tourism offerings and strengthen its presence as a

Busan, South Korea - Once a city bustling with thriving markets, vibrant commercial districts, and an entrepreneurial spirit, Busan’s economy is now facing a deep crisis. A vicious cycle of population decline, shrinking consumer spending, and rising commercial vacancies has gripped the city, draining its once-vibrant energy. With a lack of quality job opportunities, the younger generation is rapidly leaving Busan in search of better prospects elsewhere, leaving behind an aging population reliant

Busan, South Korea - To enhance global urban collaboration, Busan’s Mayor Park Heong-joon hosted Jordi Vaquer, Secretary-General of the World Association of the Major Metropolises (Metropolis), at Busan City Hall on January 24, 2025. The meeting, held in the city’s international protocol office, underscored Busan’s commitment to addressing urban challenges through international cooperation and forward-looking policies. Metropolis, a global network of more than 140 major cities, has been a key p

Busan, South Korea -Busan is embarking on an ambitious journey to establish itself as a leading medical tourism hub. At the heart of this effort is the Global High Medi-hub Special Zone, an initiative launched in Seo-gu with the aim of leveraging the city’s advanced healthcare infrastructure to stimulate economic growth and address the pressing issue of population decline. Despite its promising potential, the project faces stiff competition and formidable challenges in carving out a space in the

Busan, South Korea - In a concerted effort to address regional disparities and foster sustainable growth, the leaders of Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam—collectively known as BuUlGyeong—came together on January 22, 2025, at KBS Busan Headquarters. The 2025 BuUlGyeong New Year Forum served as a platform for the region’s key stakeholders to discuss pressing economic and social challenges and explore collaborative solutions. Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon, Ulsan Mayor Kim Doo-gyeom, and Gyeongnam Governor

Busan, South Korea -Busan has announced an initiative to prohibit the use of plastic flowers in public cemeteries starting in 2025. This measure is aimed at addressing environmental concerns related to plastic waste. As part of the initiative, the city recently conducted a cleanup effort, removing 7.1 tons of plastic flowers from Busan Yeongnak Park. The cleanup was carried out in collaboration with the Busan Facilities Corporation and senior job program participants. The use of artificial flow

Busan, South Korea - Hanwha Ocean has announced plans to establish the Busan Engineering Center (BEC) with a 10 billion KRW investment. The project is expected to create 500 new jobs in the ship design and marine engineering sectors by 2027. The announcement was made during a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing at Busan City Hall, attended by Mayor Park Heong-joon and Hanwha Ocean CEO Kim Hee-chul. The BEC initiative aligns with Busan’s efforts to enhance its position as a key maritime re

Busan, South Korea - To position itself as a global education hub, Busan  Metropolitan City has unveiled a comprehensive support system aimed at enhancing the experience of international students. The initiative, set to roll out in 2025, seeks to attract and retain foreign talent by providing seamless support from the moment they arrive in the city until they transition into employment and long-term residency. The city government has set concrete targets to bring in 18,000 international student

Busan, South Korea - The City of Busan has strengthened its position as a key destination for international tourists, with the Visit Busan Pass gaining significant popularity. Launched in February 2023, the tourism card has been well-received, recording over 312,000 sales by the end of 2024. Offering affordability, convenience, and access to a variety of attractions, the pass has contributed to enhancing the visitor experience and supporting the local economy. The sales figures indicate steady

Busan, South Korea – The Busan Metropolitan Government has signed a revised implementation agreement with I-Park Marina Co., Ltd. to proceed with the redevelopment of the Suyeongman Bay Yachting Center. The signing ceremony, held today at City Hall’s International Protocol Room, marks a significant step in advancing the long-awaited project, which has faced delays since its initial agreement in 2014. Following extensive discussions and adjustments between the city and the private developer, the