Busan News

Busan, South Korea - The recent final approval of the Korean Air-Asiana Airlines merger by the European Commission (EC) marks a pivotal moment for the South Korean aviation industry. However, the merger has sparked significant regional concerns, particularly in Busan, where local stakeholders fear the potential loss of a regional hub airline could undermine economic and strategic interests. Korean Air’s announcement to acquire Asiana Airlines in November 2020 set in motion a complex merger proc

Busan, South Korea — Global superstar and BTS member Jimin has donated ₩30 million to support the "Busan Habitat Challenge," an initiative aimed at improving housing conditions for elderly residents in need. The donation ceremony was held on November 29 at Busan City Hall, with Jimin’s father attending on his behalf due to Jimin’s current military service. The "Busan Habitat Challenge" is a community-driven project designed to remodel homes for vulnerable elderly individuals, ensuring they have

Busan, South Korea - The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Busan has unveiled a landmark retrospective of Nam June Paik, the trailblazing pioneer of media art. Titled "Nam June Paik, Nam June Paik, and Nam June Paik," the exhibition runs from November 30, 2024, to March 16, 2025. This expansive showcase, the largest of its kind in South Korea, features over 160 works, including rare early pieces, multimedia installations, and archival materials that span the entirety of Paik’s groundbreaking car

Busan, South Korea - Small businesses that have operated for decades are closing their doors, downtown streets echo with the emptiness of shuttered shops, and even longstanding landmarks of the local economy are struggling to stay afloat. Citizens are expressing alarm over the rapid decline, pointing to visible signs of economic distress in their daily lives: restaurants closing early, retail spaces left vacant, and a general sense of uncertainty pervading the city. The situation is underlined

Busan, South Korea - On November 27, 2024, the City of Busan hosted the Global Startup Network at Startup Space 100 in Haeundae, bringing together international students and graduates with local startups to strengthen the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The event, organized in collaboration with the Busan Global City Foundation and Busan Techno Park, emphasized the importance of supporting international talent to drive innovation and build global partnerships. A key highlight of the event was

Busan, South Korea - Busan has solidified its position as a global leader in innovation, technology, and business competitiveness by achieving 13th place in the 10th edition of the Smart Centres Index (SCI), a report published by the Z/Yen Group. The report evaluates the technological and economic competitiveness of 77 cities worldwide. Busan also emerged as Asia’s second-ranked city, trailing only Singapore, while surpassing Hong Kong and Seoul, reinforcing its status as a key player in the reg

Busan, South Korea - On November 26, 2024, a step was taken towards the long-awaited designation of Geumjeongsan Mountain as a national park. Key stakeholders, including Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon, Beomeosa’s head monk, Geumjeong District’s mayor, and representatives from the Geumjeongsan National Park Citizens’ Promotion Committee, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the historic Beomeosa Temple. This collaborative effort marks a critical milestone in balancing environmental conserva

Busan, South Korea - Busan recently hosted a pivotal meeting during the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (UNEP INC-5), further cementing its status as a global leader in sustainability. The conference, dedicated to establishing a legally binding international treaty on plastic pollution, provided an ideal platform for showcasing the city’s groundbreaking environmental initiatives. Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing en

Busan, South Korea - On November 25, 2024, Busan took a bold step in addressing its demographic and economic challenges by hosting the "Foreign Policy Forum" at the Busan City Hotel. The forum brought together over 60 participants, including government officials, industry representatives, and policy experts, to discuss strategies for attracting foreign talent and fostering economic resilience. A key proposal emerging from the forum was the introduction of a groundbreaking "regional visa" initiat

Busan, South Korea —  To position the city as a leader in maritime logistics, Busan has launched South Korea's first-ever harbor drone delivery service. A live demonstration of the service, which leverages cutting-edge drone technology and the K-Drone Delivery Standard, will take place on November 26, 2024, at the Korea Maritime University Drone Delivery Hub. This innovative service sets a new benchmark for logistics, aiming to address logistical challenges in marine areas while enhancing the e

Busan, South Korea - Busan has taken a step forward in its urban development by appointing a new Chief Architect to oversee the city’s architectural and urban design strategies. The appointment ceremony took place on November 25, 2024, at 10:00 AM in the Protocol Room of Busan City Hall. The appointee, Woo Shin-koo, a distinguished professor of architecture from Pusan National University (PNU), brings a wealth of experience in urban planning and design. Over the next two years, the Chief Archit

Busan, South Korea – In the shadows of Busan’s shimmering skyscrapers lie its older districts—Jung-gu, Dong-gu, Seo-gu, and Yeongdo-gu—areas that once formed the heartbeat of the city. Today, these neighborhoods are grappling with a surge in vacant homes, crumbling infrastructure, and dwindling populations. Set against the steep backdrop of Busan’s iconic hillsides, these challenges are compounded by the city’s unique geography, making redevelopment both a necessity and a complex puzzle. Yet, wi