Busan is good

Busan sees highest international visitor numbers in a decade

source: visitbusanBusan welcomed 2,929,192 international tourists in 2024, the highest number of visitors in a decade.The figure surpasses the pre-pandemic record of 2.68 million and is a nearly 60% increase from 2023.The top visitor groups by country are Taiwan (504,566 visitors), Japan (455,572), China (418,523), the United States (215,049) and the Philippines (137,996).Visitors from other parts of Asia also drive the tourism surge, with significant increases in visitors from Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore.City officials attribute this growth to several key factors. First, Busan’s rising global recognition, including its inclusion in the New York Times article “5 Cities with Great Beaches.” Second, the city has enhanced its tourism offerings, such as the Arte Museum in Yeongdo-gu District. Third, Busan’s targeted promotional efforts, including the successful Visit Busan Pass, have brought more visitors to the city.<Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>decade: 10년 figure: 수치 surpass: 능가하다 surge: 급증 significant: 상당한 attribute to: ~의 덕분으로 돌리다 recognition: 인식Editor: Song SoomiCopy Editors: Ryu Hyoseung, Anton J. Mapoy 

Giant Step Toward a World-Class Art Park Amidst Stunning Surroundings: Igidae Art Park

Giant Step Toward a World-Class Art Park Amidst Stunning Surroundings: Igidae Art Park□ In March, Busan Metropolitan City will kick off the establishment of Igidae Art Park, a cultural landmark set amid breathtaking scenery.□ Committed to a premier cultural and artistic destination in nature, we are poised to build a high-end cultural and tourism platform featuring three key zones, the International Art Center, the Seaside Forest Gallery, and the Oryukdo Art Center.○ The Art Pavilion, part of the International Art Center Zone, will stand as a focal point, seamlessly blending with Igidae’s natural beauty. After choosing service providers in 2025 and running an open call for artists, construction is expected to be completed by 2026. The pavilion will become the symbolic heart of Igidae Art Park, showcasing its splendor as a vibrant art hub.○ Linking the Oryukdo Art Center and the International Art Center, the Seaside Forest Gallery Zone will consist of six to seven halls, displaying works by Korean and overseas masters. Applications will be accepted and reviewed starting in March, and candidates must submit proposals to host privately funded exhibitions.○ The Oryukdo Art Center Zone, the gateway to Igidae Art Park, will house Yetdol Street and a wooden observatory. A total of 65 stone artifacts, including some repatriated from Japan, will be installed along Yetdol Street, enhanced with storytelling elements. These artifacts were donated by Cheon Shin-il, the Chairman of the Korean Stone Art Foundation. A feasibility study and design process for the eco-friendly wooden observatory will be conducted within the year, with completion set for 2028.□ Prior to the full-scale launch, the first Igidae Art Park Advisory Committee meeting took place on February 11 at 1:30 PM in City Hall's Large Conference Room. Presided over by Mayor Park Heong-joon, the meeting was intended to refine the execution of Igidae Art Park’s roadmap.○ The advisory committee will off

Busan’s Two Outstanding Policies Win 2025 Green World Awards

Busan’s Two Outstanding Policies Win 2025 Green World Awards□ The ‘Our Neighborhood ESG Center’ and the ‘EULSUKDO Ecological Restoration Project’ have been named laureates at the Green World Awards 2025.○ Inaugurated in 2014, the Green World Awards are organized by the Green Organisation, an environmental non-profit organization founded in the United Kingdom in 1994, with the goal of discovering and enhancing exemplary environmental frameworks worldwide.○ The presentation ceremony is held annually in the previous year’s winning country. This year, it is slated for May 12 in Auckland, New Zealand.○ The awards recognize devotions in carbon emission cuts, climate change, wildlife preservation, and energy management. Busan’s policies fall under the CARBON REDUCTION: FUEL, POWER ENERGY category, with detailed prize announcements to be made during the ceremony.○ It is the first time that Busan has been selected. Previous Korean winners were the Korea Airports Corporation, Seocho-gu, and Suwon Special City.Overviewㅇ Name: Green World Awards ※Since 2014ㅇ Organizer: Green Organisation (Environmental non-profit) ※Established in 1994ㅇ Purpose: To identify, acknowledge, and share environmental best practicesㅇ Theme: Environmental improvement, carbon reduction, and sustainable innovation□ Commended for its integrated approach to sustainable environmental protection and senior employment, the Our Neighborhood ESG Center engages an aging workforce in the community to collect, dismantle, and recycle waste.○ Senior participants collect, wash, sort, and shred waste plastics, and senior docents provide eco-education and hands-on experiences for children. Upcycled goods—like safety handles and LED lights—are installed in the homes of elderly individuals living alone and vulnerable groups. A portion of the sales revenue from upcycling is allocated to a senior employment fund.○ Achievements so far include: 75.6 tons of waste plastics collecte