Busan News

Busan, South Korea - To address South Korea’s alarming population decline, Busan’s Saha District is hosting an innovative matchmaking event that combines romance with financial incentives. The event, dubbed “Heartfelt Saha Bridge”, has garnered attention from international media for its unique approach to tackling the country’s demographic crisis. The initiative offers substantial cash rewards to singles who date, marry, and settle down, a strategy aimed at reversing the declining birth rate. S

Busan, South Korea - Busan City is setting a new standard in eco-friendly maritime innovation with the inauguration of South Korea’s first "Hydrogen-Fueled Ship R&D Platform." The center, located at the Uam Pier Maritime Industrial Cluster, is a strategic initiative to position the city as a leader in hydrogen-powered ship technology. This development is aligned with international efforts to combat climate change, particularly the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) ambitious goal of ach

Busan, South Korea - Busan’s Waterloo-style Co-Op Program expanded to include four universities—Tongmyong, Dongseo, Dong-A, and Silla—and aims to train students in nine key strategic industries, such as digital technology, bio-health, and energy. The program allows students to alternate between academic semesters and work placements, gaining real-world experience while still in school. With 95 students participating, the program offers them direct pathways into the workforce by partnering with l

The construction of South Korea’s Gadeokdo New Airport, a cornerstone of the nation’s plan to enhance its global logistics capabilities, has hit a major roadblock. Envisioned as a 24-hour hub connecting air, sea, and land transport, the project aims to solidify the southern region's role in international trade while addressing the country’s growing aviation and logistics needs. However, the ambitious plan is facing repeated delays, with the fourth consecutive bid for site development recently en

Challenges and Overlaps in Busan’s Startup Ecosystem: Is a New Institute the Solution? As Busan City accelerates its efforts to establish the provisionally named Busan Institute for Technology Startup & Investment, multiple questions arise about whether this new entity can solve the core issues hindering the city's startup ecosystem. Despite the intent to position Busan as a "Global Startup Hub," there are serious concerns about overlap with existing institutions, lack of collaboration, insuffi

Busan, South Kroea - Busan has officially secured a cultural partnership with the renowned Centre Pompidou in Paris, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a branch of the world-famous art museum in the city. The agreement, formalized in a virtual ceremony between Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon and Pompidou Center President Laurent Le Bon, marks a pivotal step in the city’s goal to position itself as a key player in the global arts scene. However, the project faces growing opposit

Busan, South Korea - Starting on September 20, 2024, Busan will unveil a brand-new addition to its city tour lineup: the Western Busan Ecotourism and Cultural Route. This initiative promises to connect locals and tourists alike with the rich natural beauty, cultural landmarks, and historical sites of Western Busan. As part of ongoing efforts to expand the city’s tourism infrastructure, the new route seeks to shine a light on lesser-known gems of the region while promoting sustainable travel prac

Busan, South Korea – The city of Busan is expanding its wellness tourism sector in 2024, with plans to introduce new destinations and programs designed to enhance health and relaxation-focused travel. The initiative aims to strengthen Busan’s position as a key player in the growing global wellness tourism market. Starting today, the Busan city government and the Busan Tourism Organization are opening a public nomination process to identify new wellness tourism sites. The expansion adds two new

Busan, South Korea - Since its highly anticipated reopening, Connect Hyundai in Busan has drawn mixed reviews from visitors. The mall, which replaced the old Hyundai Department Store after a major renovation, aimed to attract the younger "MZ generation" (Millennials and Gen Z) with a modern, curated shopping experience. While the unique design and trendy food options initially caught attention, many have raised concerns about the mall's long-term appeal, especially for younger generations. On s

Imagine stepping outside your home and within 15 minutes, you can visit the doctor, drop off your children at school, relax in a park, or buy groceries—all without needing a car. This is the vision Busan promises with its ambitious 15-Minute City initiative, a plan designed to make essential services more accessible, reduce carbon emissions, and improve quality of life. On paper, it seems like an urban utopia—a model for cities worldwide to follow. But for residents in Busan’s western districts

Busan, South Korea - To enhance the global competitiveness of South Korean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and Busan Port Authority have inaugurated a new logistics center near the Los Angeles and Long Beach (LB) ports. The center, a public-private collaboration, will offer Korean SMEs access to reliable logistics services at 10-15% lower rates than standard market prices, helping them gain a stronger foothold in the critical U.S. market. Spanning

Busan, South Korea - As the world emerges from the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, one city has not only regained its former stature as a top tourist destination but has also surged ahead with unprecedented growth. Busan, South Korea’s dynamic coastal metropolis, has welcomed 1.38 million foreign visitors in the first half of 2024—an achievement that surpasses even its pre-pandemic numbers. This remarkable recovery is more than a return to normal; it marks the dawn of a new era in which Busan i