Busan News

The construction of South Korea’s Gadeokdo New Airport, a cornerstone of the nation’s plan to enhance its global logistics capabilities, has hit a major roadblock. Envisioned as a 24-hour hub connecting air, sea, and land transport, the project aims to solidify the southern region's role in international trade while addressing the country’s growing aviation and logistics needs. However, the ambitious plan is facing repeated delays, with the fourth consecutive bid for site development recently en

Challenges and Overlaps in Busan’s Startup Ecosystem: Is a New Institute the Solution? As Busan City accelerates its efforts to establish the provisionally named Busan Institute for Technology Startup & Investment, multiple questions arise about whether this new entity can solve the core issues hindering the city's startup ecosystem. Despite the intent to position Busan as a "Global Startup Hub," there are serious concerns about overlap with existing institutions, lack of collaboration, insuffi

Busan, South Kroea - Busan has officially secured a cultural partnership with the renowned Centre Pompidou in Paris, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a branch of the world-famous art museum in the city. The agreement, formalized in a virtual ceremony between Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon and Pompidou Center President Laurent Le Bon, marks a pivotal step in the city’s goal to position itself as a key player in the global arts scene. However, the project faces growing opposit

Busan, South Korea - Starting on September 20, 2024, Busan will unveil a brand-new addition to its city tour lineup: the Western Busan Ecotourism and Cultural Route. This initiative promises to connect locals and tourists alike with the rich natural beauty, cultural landmarks, and historical sites of Western Busan. As part of ongoing efforts to expand the city’s tourism infrastructure, the new route seeks to shine a light on lesser-known gems of the region while promoting sustainable travel prac

Busan, South Korea – The city of Busan is expanding its wellness tourism sector in 2024, with plans to introduce new destinations and programs designed to enhance health and relaxation-focused travel. The initiative aims to strengthen Busan’s position as a key player in the growing global wellness tourism market. Starting today, the Busan city government and the Busan Tourism Organization are opening a public nomination process to identify new wellness tourism sites. The expansion adds two new

Busan, South Korea - Since its highly anticipated reopening, Connect Hyundai in Busan has drawn mixed reviews from visitors. The mall, which replaced the old Hyundai Department Store after a major renovation, aimed to attract the younger "MZ generation" (Millennials and Gen Z) with a modern, curated shopping experience. While the unique design and trendy food options initially caught attention, many have raised concerns about the mall's long-term appeal, especially for younger generations. On s

Imagine stepping outside your home and within 15 minutes, you can visit the doctor, drop off your children at school, relax in a park, or buy groceries—all without needing a car. This is the vision Busan promises with its ambitious 15-Minute City initiative, a plan designed to make essential services more accessible, reduce carbon emissions, and improve quality of life. On paper, it seems like an urban utopia—a model for cities worldwide to follow. But for residents in Busan’s western districts

Busan, South Korea - To enhance the global competitiveness of South Korean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and Busan Port Authority have inaugurated a new logistics center near the Los Angeles and Long Beach (LB) ports. The center, a public-private collaboration, will offer Korean SMEs access to reliable logistics services at 10-15% lower rates than standard market prices, helping them gain a stronger foothold in the critical U.S. market. Spanning

Busan, South Korea - As the world emerges from the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, one city has not only regained its former stature as a top tourist destination but has also surged ahead with unprecedented growth. Busan, South Korea’s dynamic coastal metropolis, has welcomed 1.38 million foreign visitors in the first half of 2024—an achievement that surpasses even its pre-pandemic numbers. This remarkable recovery is more than a return to normal; it marks the dawn of a new era in which Busan i

Busan, South Korea - BGF Retail, the operator of South Korea’s largest convenience store chain CU, has officially begun construction on what is set to become the country’s largest logistics center for the convenience store industry. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on September 3, 2024, in Busan, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ambitious expansion and modernization efforts. The ceremony, held at the Busan International Industrial Logistics City in the Gangseo-gu District,

Busan, South Korea — As part of its ambitious plans to rejuvenate its waterfront areas, Busan has invited Boston’s urban design expert, Ju Jung-Joon, to share insights from the successful redevelopment of Boston’s South Boston Waterfront. The area, once an industrial zone, was transformed into a bustling mixed-use district following Boston's "Big Dig" project, which rerouted highways underground, reconnecting the city to its waterfront. The South Boston Waterfront, also known as the Seaport Dis

Busan, South Korea – The highly anticipated 19th Busan Fireworks Festival is set to light up the city’s skyline on November 9, 2024. As one of South Korea’s most celebrated events, this year’s festival promises to be more spectacular than ever, with enhanced fireworks displays over the iconic Gwangan Bridge. Ticket sales for reserved seating have officially begun, offering global visitors a chance to secure the best views for this dazzling spectacle. The Busan Fireworks Festival, which first be