Busan News

The issue of welfare dependency in South Korea has become a critical topic of discussion, especially with the release of the 2023 data on the National Basic Livelihood Security Program (NBLS). This program, which serves as the cornerstone of South Korea's social safety net, aims to provide financial support to the country's most vulnerable populations. However, the data reveals significant regional disparities, with Busan emerging as one of the cities most affected by welfare dependency. With a

Busan, South Korea – Busan is taking a significant step in its quest to become a global hub city with the launch of Festival Shi-Wol, an event combining exhibitions and conventions across six dynamic sectors. Scheduled from September 30 to October 8, 2024, this festival aims to fuse innovation, culture, and business, inspired by internationally renowned events such as South by Southwest (SXSW). South by Southwest (SXSW) is a major annual festival held in Austin, Texas, known for its unique blen

Busan, South Korea – As the highly anticipated 2024 Busan International Rock Festival approaches, the city of Busan has revealed its fourth and final round of performers, adding to the excitement of one of Korea’s longest-running rock festivals. The festival is set to take place from October 4 to October 6 at Samnak Eco Park, bringing together a blend of global and local talents for a three-day musical extravaganza. The headline acts for the festival include renowned British rock band Kasabian,

Busan, South Korea — Busan City conducted a public briefing on August 14th at the Gadeokdo Administrative Welfare Center in Gangseo District, focusing on the "Gadeokdo Airport Complex City Development Project." This briefing was organized to address local residents’ questions and concerns, providing a detailed update on the project’s progress, especially following recent changes in the layout of the Gadeokdo New Airport. The Gadeokdo Airport Complex City Development Project is a major urban dev

Busan, South Korea’s dynamic port city, has been ranked 67th in the 2024 World’s Best Cities report by Resonance Consultancy, marking its debut on this prestigious global list. While the ranking has been celebrated by city officials as a significant achievement, it has also sparked debate over whether it truly reflects Busan's current state and future potential. The ranking, seen by some as a major milestone, is viewed by others as an overstatement that may obscure the city’s underlying challeng

Busan, South Korea - The City of Busan has taken a significant step forward in the construction of the Seobusan Medical Center, announcing the selection of "(tentatively named) Seobusan Healing Planet Co., Ltd." as the preferred bidder for the project. This decision was revealed during a result report meeting held at the proposed construction site for the medical center. The Seobusan Medical Center project, initially delayed due to funding shortages, has gained new momentum following successful

Busan, August 14, 2024 — The City of Busan has announced a bold plan to transform itself into a global tourism hub, with the ambitious goal of attracting 3 million international tourists by 2026. This strategy, which was outlined during the 19th Busan Future Innovation Conference, envisions the city becoming a "Global Cultural Tourism City," a "Global Workation City," a "Glocal Night Tourism City," and a "Global Culinary Tourism City." However, these aspirations come at a time when Busan's local

Busan, South Korea – The 2024 Busan Biennale, a leading event in the international contemporary art world, is set to commence on August 17th, marking a bold departure from tradition by launching in the height of summer. This shift, the first in the Biennale's history, is designed to invigorate the city’s summer cultural offerings and attract an influx of tourists to "Summer City Busan." The event will run for 65 days, concluding on October 20th. This year’s theme, "Seeing in the Dark," challeng

Busan’s economy is showing alarming signs of strain, particularly in the retail sector, where the second quarter of this year saw a 2.7% decrease in retail sales compared to the same period last year. This drop represents the highest decline since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and reflects a broader national trend where retail sales have plummeted by nearly 3%, the steepest drop in 15 years. In Busan, the retail sales index for Q2 stood at 107.1 (based on 2020 = 100), marking a significan

Busan, South Korea — This August, the vibrant city of Busan will once again open its doors to history enthusiasts and curious visitors alike as it hosts the 2024 Cultural Heritage Night, themed "Refuge Capital Busan." Scheduled for August 16th and 17th, the event will run from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM across several significant historical sites, including the Busan Modern History Museum. This year’s event offers an immersive experience that delves into the city's poignant role during the Korean War,

Busan, South Korea – The coastal city of Busan is set to host the 12th Korea International Marine Leisure Week (KIMA WEEK 2024), a much-anticipated annual event dedicated to promoting marine leisure activities and raising awareness about the marine leisure industry. Scheduled to take place from August 10 to 18 at Gwangalli Beach and other major beaches in Busan, this year's event promises an exciting lineup of activities and experiences. Since its inception in 2013, KIMA WEEK has served as a pi

Busan, South Korea – Starting August 5, the city of Busan is launching a voluntary pet registration campaign to address compliance challenges and promote responsible pet ownership. Running until September 30, this campaign offers pet owners a temporary reprieve from fines for non-compliance, aiming to significantly increase the number of registered pets in accordance with the national Animal Protection Act. The animal registration system in South Korea is part of a broader effort to improve ani