Busan, South Korea — The City of Busan has been officially recognized as an International Safe City for the third time, marking a historic achievement as the first metropolitan city to receive this certification three times. The announcement was made following an intensive evaluation by the International Safe Community Certifying Center (ISCCC).
The International Safe City certification is a prestigious recognition awarded to cities that actively and continuously strive to reduce injuries and enhance safety within their communities. Busan first received this certification in 2014, followed by a re-certification in 2019. The latest certification underscores Busan’s ongoing commitment to safety and its status as a global leader in urban safety management.
The certification process, conducted by ISCCC, involved a rigorous assessment of Busan’s safety protocols and initiatives. The evaluation, which took place from July 25 to 26 at the Busan City Hotel Convention Hall, included both in-person and virtual assessments by international and domestic experts. The key areas of evaluation included injury surveillance, traffic safety, elder falls prevention, suicide prevention, and violence and crime prevention.
Busan’s proactive approach to safety was highlighted through its establishment of the International Safe City Research Center in 2011, which publishes annual injury statistics. The city also formed a Safety City Council comprising experts from various fields, and has invested 25.4 billion KRW in 138 safety enhancement projects over the years. These efforts have led to a significant reduction in the injury mortality rate by 11.9 percentage points over the past decade, along with substantial economic savings amounting to 423.4 billion KRW.
Reza Mohammadi, the head of the ISCCC’s evaluation team, praised Busan’s comprehensive safety programs and high level of citizen participation. He specifically noted the effectiveness of Busan’s urban flood integrated information system and other scientifically driven safety measures.
Mayor Park Heong-joon expressed his delight at the recognition, stating, “Our efforts over the past five years to enhance regional safety have culminated in this international certification. We will continue to work with our citizens to advance our safety programs and ensure that the enhanced safety standards are felt throughout the community.”
The formal recognition of Busan’s third certification will take place in September at the BEXCO Convention Center, coinciding with the Korea Safety Industry Expo. This event will celebrate Busan’s achievements and outline future safety initiatives, including the construction of a national safety experience facility.
With this third certification, Busan reaffirms its commitment to creating a safe and secure environment for its residents and visitors, setting a benchmark for other cities around the world.
