Busan News

Busan, South Korea - The Busan Duty-Free Shop Yongdusan Branch is defying odds in a struggling industry. Nestled in the iconic Yongdusan Park, the store has achieved a remarkable recovery, boasting a 24% increase in visitors in 2024 compared to the previous year. Even more impressively, its monthly revenue has bounced back to 96% of pre-pandemic levels, a rare feat in South Korea's embattled duty-free sector. This success stands in stark contrast to the broader challenges faced by duty-free ret

Busan, South Korea - The city of Busan has entered into strategic partnerships with Microsoft and IonQ, aiming to advance its capabilities in information technology (IT) and quantum computing. Announced during Mayor Park Heong-joon’s recent visit to Seattle, these agreements are part of the city’s efforts to foster innovation and create opportunities in emerging technology sectors. One of the key outcomes of the visit is the planned establishment of the Busan Data Center Academy, a collaboratio

Busan, South Korea - Nestled along the slopes of the iconic Sanbok Road, Busan’s hill districts are living monuments to the city’s resilience and cultural heritage. These neighborhoods, shaped by necessity during the Korean War, became refuge for thousands of displaced people. Over the decades, they grew into vibrant communities of terraced homes and narrow alleys, offering sweeping views of the city and harbor below. However, age and time have taken their toll, leaving these areas with aging in

Busan, South Korea - Busan has taken center stage at CES 2025, the world’s largest technology exhibition held annually in Las Vegas. Led by Mayor Park Heong-joon, a delegation of 23 Busan-based companies participated in the global event, showcasing the city’s growing role as a hub for technological innovation and digital transformation. On January 7, a Networking Day event highlighted the city’s efforts to connect local businesses with global investors and buyers. The gathering, which attracted

Busan, South Korea - LEENO Industrial Inc., a manufacturer of semiconductor testing components, has begun construction on a new production facility in Busan’s Eco Delta City. The groundbreaking ceremony, held on January 9, marked an important step forward for both the company and the city as Busan seeks to strengthen its presence in South Korea’s growing semiconductor industry. This development, backed by an investment of 2,000 billion KRW, is anticipated to create around 200 jobs, contributing

Busan, South Korea - Beneath Busan’s vibrant urban landscape lies a housing market grappling with mounting pressures. Once regarded as a relatively stable and accessible sector, the city’s rental market is now defined by stark inequalities, rising fraud cases, and systemic vulnerabilities. From the widening gap in housing prices between affluent and struggling neighborhoods to the growing number of tenants filing leasehold registration orders to protect their rights, the challenges facing Busan’

Busan, South Korea - Busan Metropolitan City is launching an ambitious initiative to transform Dadaepo into a major marine tourism hub, with an investment of approximately 1 trillion KRW. This collaborative project between Busan City, Saha District, and private developer Eltn Construction is poised to create a "complex marine leisure tourism city," integrating luxury accommodations, recreational facilities, and eco-friendly developments to enhance the region’s global appeal. The project aligns

Busan, South Korea - As part of its commitment to inclusive and accessible public services, the city of Busan has announced the rollout of barrier-free self-service tax payment kiosks, starting January 7, 2025. These state-of-the-art kiosks aim to enhance the convenience of tax payments for all citizens, including the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and others who face challenges accessing information. This initiative represents a significant upgrade in user-centered design and accessibi

Busan, South Korea - When Mayor Park Heong-joon introduced the 15-Minute City policy in 2021, it was lauded as a bold step toward creating accessible, sustainable neighborhoods. The promise was clear: to design urban spaces where healthcare, education, work, and recreation would be reachable within a 15-minute walk or bike ride. Over the years, the initiative gained international recognition, particularly for its design-focused projects like the award-winning wallscapes in Dangam-Gaegeum. Howev

Busan, South Korea – In response to the tragic Jeju Air crash that claimed 179 lives on December 29, Busan City has established a public memorial at City Hall to honor the victims. The crash, one of the deadliest aviation disasters in South Korea’s history, has led to a nationwide period of mourning. Jeju Air Flight 2216, en route from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport to Muan International Airport, encountered mechanical failures, likely caused by a bird strike. The Boeing 737-800 attempted an em

Busan, South Korea - Busan City has announced the completion of a major infrastructure project aimed at transforming urban living standards. After more than three years of construction and a total investment of 1,087 billion KRW, the modernization of the city’s sewage treatment facilities has been finalized. Operations are scheduled to begin in January 2025, bringing long-awaited relief to local residents who have endured decades of challenges stemming from outdated infrastructure. The sewage t

Busan, South Korea - Busan City is poised to introduce 72 innovative policies and programs in 2025, covering six key areas: economy and youth employment, urban development and transportation, healthcare and welfare, women and childcare, safety and environmental sustainability, and culture and tourism. These changes reflect the city's ambition to enhance residents’ daily lives, address pressing societal needs, and pave the way for a prosperous future. Mayor Park Heong-joon described the initiati