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Busan Desk

Busan News

Busan news, in-depth reporting, and editorial insights covering the city’s politics, economy, development, institutions, and social change.

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Reporting and analysis from Breeze in Busan

Desk Focus

This desk tracks Busan's politics, economy, civic institutions, and urban change, while connecting local developments to the wider newsroom file.

Busan Lotte Tower Set to Rise as the City's Iconic Landmark by First Half of 2026
Busan newsAug 17, 2023

Busan Lotte Tower Set to Rise as the City's Iconic Landmark by First Half of 2026

In a major development that underscores Busan's urban landscape ambitions, the Busan Lotte Tower is slated to grace the city skyline as a defining structure by the first half of 2026. According to Lotte Shopping on the 16th, the company is poised to kick off construction, with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled at the Busan Lotte Tower construction site at 11 am on the 17th. This announcement comes 27 years after acquiring the former site of Busan City Hall located in Jung-gu, Jungang-dong, a

Busan's Annual Craft Beer Masters Challenge Returns to the Cinema Center
Busan newsAug 16, 2023

Busan's Annual Craft Beer Masters Challenge Returns to the Cinema Center

In what has now become a cherished tradition, the Busan Cinema Center is set to host the prestigious 'Busan Craft Beer Masters Challenge' from the 18th to the 20th of this month. This three-day event promises to be a treat for craft beer enthusiasts, celebrating the artisanal flair of Busan's brewing scene. Several craft beer brands from around the region will compete in rigorous evaluations, vying for the coveted title of this year's best brew. Unlike other competitions, the uniqueness of the

Busan's Vision for a "15-Minute City": The Second Phase of the Happy Challenge
Busan newsAug 8, 2023

Busan's Vision for a "15-Minute City": The Second Phase of the Happy Challenge

BUSAN — In a drive to redefine urban living, the city of Busan has unveiled its selected areas for the second phase of its "Happy Challenge." This ambitious initiative aims to transform neighborhoods into spaces where all essential services are accessible within a 15-minute walk or bike. Busan's municipal government disclosed that the Saha-gu's Shinpyeong-Jangnim living area and the Sasang-gu's Gwaebeop-Gamjeon living area have been designated as the primary living quarters for the Happy Challe

BUSAN TOURISM: Expanding from the East to the West
Busan newsAug 3, 2023

BUSAN TOURISM: Expanding from the East to the West

BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA – In an ambitious move to bolster regional tourism, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) in partnership with Busan city announced on July 2, that a series of pilot projects will be launched to extend the city's tourism ecosystem from the Haeundae and Osiria tourist complexes in East Busan, to West Busan and beyond into the South Coast area. The disparity in tourism between the East and West regions of Busan is evident from various statistical data. A review of the most popula

Busan Steps Closer to Designating Nakdonggang River as National Garden with the Opening of Local Garden
Busan newsAug 2, 2023

Busan Steps Closer to Designating Nakdonggang River as National Garden with the Opening of Local Garden

Busan is one step closer to its aspiration of designating the Nakdonggang River as a national garden, following the creation of the city's first and the nation's largest local garden along the Nakdonggang River bank in Samnak Ecological Park. The Busan Metropolitan Government announced today that it has registered and publicized a riverfront area of 2.5 million square meters in Samnak Ecological Park as the first Nakdonggang River Local Garden in Busan. This land is state-owned and is located w

Busan International Finance Center Welcomes UIB and LINA One Amidst Global Economic Challenges
Busan newsJul 31, 2023

Busan International Finance Center Welcomes UIB and LINA One Amidst Global Economic Challenges

The City of Busan has announced that United Insurance Brokers (UIB) and LINA One have been chosen to set up their operations at the Busan International Finance Center (BIFC). This major step is aimed at bolstering the city's financial landscape amidst challenging global economic conditions. The decision follows a comprehensive selection process that began in June, seeking suitable foreign financial institutions for the new D-Space located on the 63rd floor of the BIFC. The selection process, wh

Busan Set to Host FLY ASIA 2023: Empowering Startups and Fostering Global Connections
Busan newsJul 24, 2023

Busan Set to Host FLY ASIA 2023: Empowering Startups and Fostering Global Connections

The city of Busan has announced plans to host the Asian Startup Expo "FLY ASIA 2023" from October 5th to 8th, aimed at supporting promising startups in attracting investment and expanding overseas through connections and collaborations between leading startup cities in Asia. The Expo will take place at the second exhibition hall of BEXCO for four days. The inaugural Asian Startup Expo, held last year, was intended as a launching pad for startups across Asia to rise together under the slogan "Co

Open Democracy in Action: Inside the Office of Assemblyman Park Soo-young
Busan newsJul 23, 2023

Open Democracy in Action: Inside the Office of Assemblyman Park Soo-young

In the heart of Busan, South Korea, an experiment in participatory democracy is unfolding. It is an experiment that is as novel as it is inspiring, and it takes place every Saturday inside the office of Assemblyman Park Soo-young. Intrigued by this unique democratic process, I made a personal visit to experience it firsthand. A New Brand of Politics As the Member of the National Assembly representing Busan's Nam-gu district, Park Soo-young is a charismatic leader whose approach to politics is

Busan's 3rd Hwangryeong Tunnel Project: A Solution to Urban Congestion
Busan newsJul 20, 2023

Busan's 3rd Hwangryeong Tunnel Project: A Solution to Urban Congestion

The city of Busan has announced the official launch of the basic and implementation design services for the 3rd Hwangryeong Tunnel road opening project. The project kickoff meeting took place yesterday at 10 AM in the city hall conference room on the 20th floor. The 3rd Hwangryeong Tunnel project, stretching a total length of 4.11 kilometers, is an ambitious road construction plan worth KRW 3.696 trillion. This new infrastructure aims to connect the Shinli intersection in Yeonsan-dong, Yeonje D

Busan's Aspiration: Transforming into an Internationally Competitive Financial City
Busan newsJul 20, 2023

Busan's Aspiration: Transforming into an Internationally Competitive Financial City

BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA - In an ambitious bid to stimulate growth and innovation in the financial industry, the City of Busan convened a high-profile meeting involving stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. The meeting, held at the Avani Central Busan, was a landmark moment for the region's financial future, marking the launch of the Busan Financial Industry Promotion Plan. The event was attended by a diverse range of representatives from the financial community, including Mayor Park

Busan to Host 'Foreign Student Job Fair' to Mitigate Local Talent Crunch
Busan newsJul 19, 2023

Busan to Host 'Foreign Student Job Fair' to Mitigate Local Talent Crunch

In a bid to alleviate the talent shortage among local enterprises and provide job opportunities for foreign students, the City of Busan has announced the commencement of a 'Foreign Student Job Fair.' Scheduled to take place at 1:30 pm on 20th July at the Busan Port International Exhibition & Convention Center (BPEX), the job fair aims to facilitate the settling of foreign students in the region. This job fair is connected with the 'Regional Outstanding Talents (F-2-R),' a pilot project currentl

Busan Launches Public Transportation Discount System "Dongbaek Pass"
Busan newsJul 19, 2023

Busan Launches Public Transportation Discount System "Dongbaek Pass"

Busan City is ready to disrupt the public transportation landscape with the nationwide first-of-its-kind integrated discount system called the "Dongbaek Pass". Slated for launch on August 1st, the Dongbaek Pass stands as a significant lead project among the 12 tasks in the three sectors of the "Busan-style Public Transportation Innovation Plan" unveiled in March. The innovative Dongbaek Pass scheme allows locals to use their Dongbaek prepaid transportation card as a regional currency card. Comm

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