Busan

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

Busan, South Korea — A city built on the strength of its manufacturing prowess now faces an industrial reckoning. Once a titan of shipbuilding and heavy machinery, Busan’s manufacturing sector now struggles against the tide of global innovation and an aging industrial base. Yet, amidst these challenges lies an opportunity for transformation—one powered by the tools of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. With the rise of digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelli

Busan, South Korea – In a pivotal move to combat the escalating crisis of plastic pollution, representatives from over 170 nations are gathering in Busan for the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5). This meeting aims to finalize a legally binding international treaty addressing plastic pollution, with a particular focus on marine environments. Since the mid-20th century, global plastic production has surged dramatically. Annual production skyrocketed from 2 mill

Busan, South Korea - Faced with a growing number of vacant houses scattered across its neighborhoods, Busan City has unveiled a comprehensive plan to tackle this pressing urban challenge. The "Busan-style Vacant House Redevelopment Strategy," announced during the 47th Emergency Economic Meeting on November 21, outlines a bold vision to address urban decay and transform abandoned properties into vibrant community spaces. The strategy, spearheaded by Mayor Park Heong-joon, focuses on innovative h