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Busan Desk

Busan News

Busan news, in-depth reporting, and editorial insights covering the city’s politics, economy, development, institutions, and social change.

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Reporting and analysis from Breeze in Busan

Desk Focus

This desk tracks Busan's politics, economy, civic institutions, and urban change, while connecting local developments to the wider newsroom file.

Hydrogen-Powered Trains to Revolutionize Busan's Transportation Ahead of 2030 World Expo
Busan newsMar 16, 2023

Hydrogen-Powered Trains to Revolutionize Busan's Transportation Ahead of 2030 World Expo

Busan-type Express Railroad (BuTX) project set to connect Gadeokdo New Airport with downtown Busan With the 2030 Busan World Expo on the horizon, the South Korean government is accelerating plans to open Gadeokdo New Airport in December 2029. A significant component of this development is the Busan-type Express Railroad (BuTX) project, an express railroad aimed at connecting the new airport with downtown Busan. The city is working to establish a commercialization strategy for BuTX by the end of

Busan City Signs Agreement with Saha-gu for Seobusan Medical Center Construction
Busan newsMar 15, 2023

Busan City Signs Agreement with Saha-gu for Seobusan Medical Center Construction

The Busan Metropolitan City has announced that it will be signing a business agreement with Saha-gu to ensure the early construction and successful operation of the Seobusan Medical Center. The agreement promises to provide mutual cooperation between the two entities for the smooth and timely construction of the medical center. The signing ceremony will be attended by Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon and Saha-gu district Mayor Lee Gap-jun. Once the agreement is signed, Busan City and Saha-gu Office

Apple Pay set to launch in South Korea on March 21
TechnologyMar 15, 2023

Apple Pay set to launch in South Korea on March 21

Apple and Hyundai Card have announced the upcoming launch of Apple Pay in South Korea on March 21, marking the tech giant's latest move into the competitive mobile payment service market. The launch comes a month and a half after Apple first announced its plans in early February, following a review by the Financial Services Commission (FSC), the regulatory body overseeing financial institutions and products in South Korea. Currently, only Hyundai Card users will be able to utilize Apple Pay in

Gadeokdo New Airport to Open Sooner with Innovative Landfill Construction Method
Busan newsMar 15, 2023

Gadeokdo New Airport to Open Sooner with Innovative Landfill Construction Method

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT) is reportedly considering a new construction method for Gadeokdo New Airport that involves building the terminal and part of the runway on the island and constructing the airport in a landfill style that spans land and sea. The proposed method is expected to greatly reduce the amount of landfill required for the project compared to the existing maritime airport and could allow for the airport to open before 2030. The city of Busan has

Busan companies facing financial strain due to triple threat of inflation, exchange rate, and interest rates
Busan newsMar 14, 2023

Busan companies facing financial strain due to triple threat of inflation, exchange rate, and interest rates

The triple impact of inflation, a high exchange rate, and high-interest rates have put many companies in Busan under financial strain, with some facing short-term liquidity risks. Recently, the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) released the results of its 'Emergency Management Status' survey, targeting local listed companies in the manufacturing, service, and construction industries with sales of over 50 billion won. The survey revealed that 84.9% of respondents reported negative ef

Busan World Expo 2030: Bid Committee Moves Forward in Race to Host Event
MICEMar 11, 2023

Busan World Expo 2030: Bid Committee Moves Forward in Race to Host Event

The Busan World Expo 2030 Bid Committee held its third meeting on Friday, March 10th, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul. The meeting, co-chaired by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Chey Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry(KCCI), discussed the detailed plans for this year's bidding activities. The meeting aimed to unite the public and private sectors' bidding capabilities ahead of the decision on the 2030 World Expo host site in late November. The committee's focus wa

Busan Selected to Host 2024 World Volunteer Conference
Busan newsMar 11, 2023

Busan Selected to Host 2024 World Volunteer Conference

The city of Busan has secured the hosting rights for the 2024 World Volunteer Conference, the world's largest event in the field of volunteerism. The announcement was made following a selection process conducted by The Committee for the IAVE World Volunteer Congress, which saw Busan emerge as the top choice among a list of cities vying to host the prestigious event. Busan's successful bid was a result of the city's ability to highlight its attractiveness, such as its infrastructure for internat

Construction Firms Shift Focus to Government Projects in Busan
EconomyMar 9, 2023

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

Young Artists of Busan Featured in Busan Museum of Art's 'My Young & Sad Day' Exhibition
DiscoverMar 9, 2023

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

Building a Global Hub: The Need for an English-Friendly Environment in Busan
OpinionMar 9, 2023

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

Depopulation in Yeongdo-gu: Can Tourism Alone Revitalize Busan's Struggling Districts?
EconomyMar 9, 2023

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's Population Decline: Urgent Need for Sustainable Job Creation as Incheon Rises as a Competitor
Busan newsMar 9, 2023

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

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