Busan News

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

Busan, South Korea — The City of Busan has been officially recognized as an International Safe City for the third time, marking a historic achievement as the first metropolitan city to receive this certification three times. The announcement was made following an intensive evaluation by the International Safe Community Certifying Center (ISCCC). The International Safe City certification is a prestigious recognition awarded to cities that actively and continuously strive to reduce injuries and e

Busan, South Korea - In recent years, the closure of police security centers in Busan has raised significant concerns about potential security gaps. Over the past two years, 50 such centers have either been closed or are scheduled for closure, with most being sold to private entities. This move has sparked heated debates among local communities and city officials, who are worried about the implications for public safety and the effectiveness of local law enforcement. According to the Korea Asse

Busan, South Korea - The city of Busan announced the official launch of the "Let's Go Busan Sports Portal" today, a new online platform designed to enhance access to local sports facilities and programs for its citizens. This initiative represents a significant step towards realizing the 8th municipal administration's commitment to creating a city where all residents can engage in sports activities within a 15-minute radius from their homes. The "Let's Go Busan Sports Portal" is meticulously st

Busan, South Korea — Busan City is making significant strides towards securing the designation of Glocal University for its local institutions as part of a broader strategy to enhance its global competitiveness. On July 22, key stakeholders gathered at Busan City Hall for the "Glocal University Vision and Innovation Strategy Conference." The event featured presentations from four major universities: Dong-A University, Dongseo University, Tongmyong University, and Silla University. The conferenc