Busan

Once dominated by hypermarkets and the conveniences of e-commerce, the grocery landscape in South Korea’s urban centers is witnessing an unexpected shift. Neighborhood produce shops, often without elaborate branding or fancy facades, are reemerging as go-to sources for fresh, affordable produce in cities like Busan. These stores provide a mix of convenience, competitive pricing, and trust in product quality—a trifecta that hypermarkets and even online delivery services struggle to match for peri

Busan, South Korea — In a recent move, council members from Busan’s oldest districts — Jung-gu, Seo-gu, Dong-gu, and Yeongdo — have called for the removal of height restrictions that have capped building heights since 1972. These regulations, they argue, inhibit modern redevelopment and discourage investment in areas that have remained relatively low-rise for over 50 years. However, critics contend that lifting these limits to allow high-rise construction may not lead to the revitalization suppo

Busan, South Korea — As part of a broader initiative to enhance travel accessibility and stimulate regional tourism, the city of Busan will host the 2024 Air Travel Market from October 31 to November 1 at Busan City Hall. In collaboration with Korea Airports Corporation, the event provides locals and tourists access to discounted flights, travel packages, and travel-related promotions, showcasing Busan’s commitment to revitalizing international and domestic travel routes through Gimhae Airport.

Busan, South Korea – To address manufacturing challenges and strengthen the city’s economic foundation, Busan City has partnered with national and international organizations to lead a major AI-driven autonomous manufacturing project. This initiative aims to transform local industries, especially aerospace, by integrating AI technologies and robotics into manufacturing processes, helping modernize the sector and tackle pressing issues like workforce shortages and sustainability. Facing global s

Busan, South Korea – Today, Busan Maritime & Finance Week (BMFW) kicked off, drawing finance and maritime industry leaders from around the globe to discuss strategies and innovations that could position Busan as a global center for maritime finance. Running from October 29-31 at the Lotte and Paradise Hotels, the event is co-hosted by Busan Metropolitan City, the Korea Ocean Business Corporation (KOBC), the Financial Supervisory Service, Marine Money, and the Busan International Financial Promot

Busan, South Korea - The city of Busan is set to host the 32nd edition of Passion & Fashion Busan (PFB), an international exhibition spotlighting the shoe, textile, and fashion industries. Running from October 31 to November 2 at BEXCO’s first exhibition hall, this event brings together 363 companies across 389 booths and expects to welcome over 16,000 attendees. The exhibition will feature a range of activities and business opportunities aimed at both the public and professionals, under the the

Busan, South Korea - "Loneliness is spreading like an epidemic," warned a recent CNN report, pointing to the global rise in isolated deaths, or godoksa, particularly in South Korea. As national efforts intensify to prevent such tragedies, Busan—one of the cities hardest hit by this crisis—finds itself facing mounting challenges. Despite some promising local initiatives, Busan continues to struggle in fully addressing the root causes and impacts of these lonely deaths. Busan ranks third in South

Busan, South Korea - Pine forests, cherished for their ecological and cultural importance, face a growing menace in both Busan and Japan: pine wilt disease (PWD). This disease, caused by the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), has rapidly spread across Asia and Europe, threatening biodiversity and causing significant economic losses in forest-rich regions. In Busan, pine wilt disease was first detected in 1988 on Geumjeongsan Mountain, marking the start of a persistent battle that c

Busan, South Korea - Busan has successfully secured 22.5 billion KRW in national funding to cover half of the construction costs for the upcoming Busan Children’s Hospital, part of a broader 48.6 billion KRW project aimed at bolstering the city’s pediatric healthcare services. This new hospital, expected to be completed by 2027, comes at a critical time as South Korea faces nationwide shortages of pediatric specialists and rising demands for advanced child healthcare. South Korea is grappling w

Busan, South Korea— In a meeting on October 23, 2024, Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon and EU Ambassador Maria Castillo Fernandez reaffirmed their commitment to tackling climate change and plastic pollution. Their discussion focused on the mutual goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and the importance of enhancing collaboration between Busan and the European Union (EU). They also explored how Busan's initiatives align with upcoming global environmental regulations, including the EU’s Carbon Bo

Busan, South Korea - As South Korea seeks to decentralize economic growth from the Seoul metropolitan area, two major regional development projects stand out: the Bu-Ul-Gyeong Megacity and the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Administrative Integration. From Busan’s vantage point, the Bu-Ul-Gyeong project, which involves Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, is facing serious delays. In contrast, Daegu-Gyeongbuk’s integration is progressing rapidly, raising concerns in Busan about its own region’s ability to stay competi

Busan, South Korea – A towering 99-story apartment complex is set to rise on the shores of Busan’s Gwangan Beach, bringing both excitement and anxiety to the city’s residents. With plans to turn the aging Samik Beach Apartments into a shimmering symbol of modern architecture, opinions are sharply divided. Will this ambitious project serve as a magnet for tourists and a crown jewel in Busan’s skyline? Or is it a costly gamble that could deepen social divides and push long-time residents out of th