‘Danurim Center’ opened to the public at Hakjang-dong, Gaya-daero, 196beon-gil, 51, on April 23. With a total investment of 24.4 billion won, Busan City and Sasang-gu District built the 6-story multipurpose complex, covering a 6,520㎡ site, which includes sports, cultural, welfare and business support facilities.

For more information, please contact the Danurim Center at 051) 319-7330

The source of news: http://eng.bjfez.net/

Saha-gu District opened a Little League baseball field in the northern part of Eulsukdo Island, on April 27, 2012. 

A 7,819 square meter baseball field and 4,202 square meter artificial turf field, a baseball fence, two dugouts, a locker room and additional facilities are now ready for use.

Currently, Busan City has 11 little league baseball teams and 18 baseball teams in elementary and middle schools, with about 1,000 players. Till now, with only two Little League baseball fields, in Samnak Riverside Sports Park and Hwamyeong Ecological Park, there had been insufficient facilities for children to play baseball in Busan.  
To celebrate the opening of the baseball field, the Saha-gu Little League baseball team and Buk-gu Little League baseball team played an exhibition game on the opening day.   

The Mayor of Saha-gu District, Lee Gyoung-hun, said “Along with the opening of the little league baseball field in Eulsukdo, a variety of sports fields including courts for gate ball, soccer, badminton, basketball, futsal, tennis, and foot volleyball ？ are now available for the enjoyment of residents in the northern part of Eulsukdo.”

Busan Cultural Contents Complex (BCC) opened at Centum City, Haeundae on April 30, 2012.

With a total investment of 31.2 billion won, the 9-story Busan Cultural Contents Complex building has a total floor space of 19,809 square meters.
The BCC consists of a co-production center equipped with a SSD (Solid State Drive)-based super computer, culture technology, a joint research center for researching 3-D stereo images, a digital contents exhibition hall and corporative leasing information center (6-9F) for companies related to digital image content, animation and games.

For more information, please contact the Film & Culture Industry Division at 051) 888-8124.

At this year’s Busan International Motor Show you can see new, never-before seen cars.

This year’s motor show theme is billed “The Voyage of the Green Car Across the Ocean” and will kick off with the Press Day on May 24 and carry on until June 3 at BEXCO.

More than 96 companies from six countries plan to participate in the Busan International Motor Show 2012. It’s the biggest ever and we’ll unveil it right now.

All the luxury sports cars in one place

Maserati, GranTurismo S Automatic and other new cars

As a large number of overseas and local automobile companies will be taking part at the Busan International Motor Show 2012, the show is to be the biggest ever. The event is opening alongside Haeundae Beach and the Busan Sand Festival. As this festival is expected to see the largest number of visitors ever, many automobile companies are enquiring how to participate.

This year 170 new cars from 22 automobile companies are expected to be shown. Among them, there are two “World Premiers,” which means the new car is being revealed to the world for the first time. There are also four “Asian Premier” cars that are being introduced in Asia for the first time and 18 “Korean Premiers,” which should be enough to sate the appetites of even the most ravenous car aficionados.

First of all, Renault Samsung announced that it is to display a new “crossover concept” on April 2. The crossover concept slated for this year’s show is a model based on the Renault’s Captur and is a sporty design car with dynamic lines. Francois Provost, CEO of Renault Samsung, stated, “Through the concept car we are revealing at the Busan International Motor Show 2012, Renault Samsung is expecting to strengthen its young brand image.”

Kia Motors also plans to debut its own K9 through the motor show, saying that the vehicle is an all new luxury sedan. K9 is a forward-looking, refined but strong luxury sedan. The front has fulfilled the designs of Kia Motors and the sides are neat but powerful, a very sophisticated design. One of the world’s most luxurious automobile brands, Maserati, will also present various models. Maserati will unveil one of the most expensive cars at the show, priced between 200 million and 300 million won. Quattroporte Sport GT S, GranTurismo S Automatic, GranTurismo MC Stradale and GranCabrio Sport are the four models.

A total of 14 imported automobile brands are participating, including 13 brands that were present last event: BMW, MINI, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, Bentley, Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Infiniti, Ford, Lincoln, Cadillac and the new participant, Maserati.

The experts are saying the big growth in imported car sales in Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongnam region was the reason of the high ratio of overseas automobile brands at the show. In 2011, the imported car sales in these regions numbered about 12,000 cars, which was a roughly 10 percent increase compared to 2010. The effort of BEXCO to attract more imported automobile brands also played a big role.

Various side events, as it is the largest scale event ever

Car audio festival, tune up festival, remote control car race and more

Since this will be the most mammoth turnout since Busan International Motor Show started, a huge number of events have been prepared as well. Not only are there exhibitions, but there are programs to enjoy. Unique, remodeled cars and remote controlled car racing contests have been readied as well.

One of the noticeable events is the F1 display, in which you can see an F1 machine in front. It is a chance to see the racing cars provided by Korean Grand Prix up close and personal. The “Car Audio Festival” taking place at the outdoor exhibition hall from May 26 to 27 is also a hot issue. Cars with remodeled audios blasting out powerful music will boost up the festive mood. A number of cars will be on hand for those who want to test their sound systems.

The “Tune Up” festival from last year is also something to look forward to. During the event if you visit the second floor of the BEXCO Convention Hall, you can look at a panoply of remodeled cars to your heart’s content. There are cars with unique exteriors as well as cars with booming audio systems for lively music. If you are interested in car tuning, this is an event you must not miss.

The participating companies have also prepared their own showcase exhibits and activities.

There is a face painting event for children. During the show, visit the Glass Hall connecting the BEXCO main hall and office building and you can get your face painted. There is also a chance to win a car every 10 days in a drawing among paid visitors.

In addition, there are academic and corporate sessions, such as buyer export consulting and the Busan-Fukuoka automobile industry development strategy seminar.

Tips> Tickets

The show this year is expected to be more crowded than ever. To skip the hassle of buying tickets on site, ticket reservations are available. You can purchase tickets through the online shopping malls Auction (ticket.auction.co.kr) and G-Market (www.gmarket.co.kr). The tickets are 4,000 won  ($3.5) for teenagers (elementary, middle and high school students) and  7,000 won for adults. You can get a 1,000 won discount during the reservation time of April 9 to May 23. Groups over 30 also save 1,000 won discount. Preschoolers and those over age 65 can enjoy the show for free.

For more information, visit the website for Busan International Motor Show at http://eng.busanmotorshow.co.kr/main.html

The source of news: Dynamic Busan

Busan City's ‘2012 Marine Sports Academy’ is up and running at 10 different venues, including the Nakdong River (Eulsukdo), Yeongdo (Korea Maritime University), Dadaepo and Haeundae beaches, from April through October, for a period of 7 months. Courses are open to anyone who would like to enjoy learning about any of ten different sports, including dinghy sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking and rowing, from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. daily (except Mondays).

The Marine Sports Academy, under the slogan ‘Let’s Enjoy Marine Sports’, is aiming to open up the enjoyment of marine sports all year round to citizens of all ages.

Individuals, families and groups are welcome to apply for the courses and activities of the academy. Each academy is offering various programs so those who would like to register for the program, please call or visit the location below. Participants only have to bear the cost of textbooks and insurance fees (10,000 won). For more detailed information, visit the marine sports academy website at http://www.busanmw.com (currently only in Korean).

Busan Rowing Association
Office Phone: 051) 973-2017
Mobile Phone: 010-2580-1157
Fax: 051) 973-0747
Email: kimjunmo7@hanmail.net
Location: Rowing Arena, 3655 Gangdong-dong, Gangseo-gu
Events: Rowing, Indoor Rowing, Rafting
Period: April ~ October
Event Venue: Canoe Arena at West Nakdong River
Tuition: Free

Busan Canoe Federation
Office Phone: 051) 941-1556
Mobile Phone: 010-4140-1807
Fax: 051) 941-1558
Email: osmin119@naver.com
Location: Canoe Arena, 3655 Gangdong-dong, Gangseo-gu
Events: Canoeing, Kayaking, Rafting
Period: April ~ October
Event Venue: Canoe Arena at West Nakdong River
Tuition: Free

Korea Surfing Association
Office Phone: 051) 746-3753
Mobile Phone: 010-9411-8886
Fax: 051) 746-3754
Email: luckyday@nate.com
Location: 16-1 Dongmyeong-ro 118 beon-gil, Nam-gu
Events: Surfing, Bodyboarding
Period: April ~ October
Event Venue: Haeundae Beach
Tuition: Free

Korea Maritime University (Marine Sports Department)
Office Phone: 051) 410-4790
Mobile Phone: 010-9344-3161
Fax: 051) 410-4790
Email: parkkw@hhu.ac.kr
Location: 1 Dongsam-dong, Yeongdo-gu
Events: Dinghy sailing
Period: April ~ October
Event Venue: Korea Maritime University
Tuition: Free

Busan Kiteboarding Association
Office Phone: 051) 207-3700
Mobile Phone: 010-4841-9966
Fax: 051) 207-3700
Email: kimsb@hanmail.net
Location: 379 Weonyang-ro, Saha-gu
Events: Kite-boarding, Sea Rafting, Water Skiing
Period: April ~ October
Event Venue: Dadaepo Beach
Tuition: Free

Busan Windsurfing Federation
Office Phone: 051) 747-6175
Mobile Phone: 010-4572-1720
Fax: 051) 747-6176
Email: hyuk9111@korea.kr
Location: 1393 U-1-dong, Haeundae-gu
Events: Windsurfing, Rafting, Kayaking, Dinghy Sailing
Period: April ~ October
Event Venue: Dadaepo Beach (April ？ October), Eulsukdo (June ？ August)
Tuition: Free

Sea Explorers of Busan Council
Office Phone: 051) 743-5589
Mobile Phone: 010-5559-1071
Fax: 051) 742-3309
Email: sekps@hanmail.net
Location: 1393 U-1-dong, Haeundae-gu
Events: Dragon Boating, Kayaking, Rafting, Motor Boating
Period: April ~ October
Event Venue: Yachting Center, Suyeong River
Tuition: Free

In addition, the Yachting School offers classes year-round.

The yachting school, which has operated since 1993, will open at the Suyeong Yachting Center. Classes will be offered at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels to children as well as adults. Upon completion of their course, participants will receive an official certification from Busan Yacht Association, acknowledged by the International Sailing Schools Association (ISSA), and will be able to benefit from the following services ？ yachting information, club activities, qualification for competitions and free equipment rental. In addition, the Busan Sailing Federation which is organizing the yachting school has been selected as a certified education center by the Korea Sailing Federation and a sailing license agent. Therefore from this year, those who complete the course can receive their sailing license as well.

For more information about the yachting school, please call 051) 747-1768 or visit the website at   http://www.busanyacht.co.kr

Busan City is striving to promote and develop marine sports at many of Busan's beaches for the enjoyment of everyone throughout the year. The Dadae Marine Sports Facility was established at Dadaepo Beach in April, 2011, Hwamyeong Water Sports Facility is scheduled to be completed this June and another one at Songdo Beach is under construction. When the project is complete, people will be able to enjoy water sports at all of Busan's beaches much more easily. 

For more information, please contact the Sports Promotion Division at 051) 888-3221~6.

The rooftop garden is open to any members of the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during weekdays.

Busan City plans to run a discovery program for the ‘Haneul Madang’ rooftop garden at Busan City Hall, from March through November. 

The 3,659 square meter rooftop garden, built on the 4^th floor roof of the City Hall building, consists of 6,872 trees of 36 different species and 13,314 flowers and herbs of 48 different species.

The program will run every day, Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. until 12 noon. A guide will be there to explain about the various trees, flowers and ecology, as well as about rooftop gardening. The time schedule for the discovery program may be changed for groups.

The program is open to all schools, groups and individuals. To register for the program, please visit the Busan Green Trust website at http://www.bgt.kr (Currently only in Korean) or call 051)208-3002. Also, you can call the Green Zone Policy Division at 051)888-4214.  

Dalmaji Art and Craft Market, which is being held every weekend, has proved to be very popular among citizens and tourists alike, so much so that another so-called 'free market' is now also being held at Busan Station Culture Square. 

Dong-gu District will hold the Art and Craft Market every Friday until the end of November, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. It is called a 'free market' in Korean because it takes place in an open space not normally designated as a market area, such as on a street sidewalk or in the park.

A sure sign of its growing popularity since last year, a wider variety of handicrafts made by young artists with beads, leather, pressed flowers, and polymer clay will be introduced at the free market this year. 

In an art and craft market, local artists come to exhibit and sell their artworks to citizens who have come to buy or browse. The market often takes on the atmosphere of a festival, and is a place where artists and citizens can naturally communicate with each other.

The mayor of Dong-gu District, Jung Young-suk said, “Citizens and tourists who visit Busan Station can now enjoy various cultural events including the nightly fountain show and cultural performances along with the Art and Craft Market” and added, “These cultural events will help revitalize the regional economy by attracting domestic and international tourists alike.”

※ In case of inclement weather, Busan Station Art and Craft Market may not be held.

For more information, please call Dong-gu District at 051)440-4064.

Busan City has divided the Airport Limousine bus route to Haeundae into two routes to provide greater convenience and a more rapid service for those travelling to and from Gimhae International Airport. In addition to the current Haeundae route via Suyeong Intersection, a new route started operating from Gimhae Int’l Airport to Haeundae via Gwangan Bridge (or Diamond Bridge) on April 20, 2012.

The new route via Gwangan Bridge is expected to reduce travel times by providing a more direct route to Haeundae from the airport and to enhance visitors' first impression of Busan with the beautiful sea views from Gwangan Bridge. 

The new route (Gimhae Int’l Airport → Gwangan Bridge → BEXCO → Haeundae New Town → Jangsan Metro Station → Haeundae Beachfront Hotels → BEXCO → Gwangan Bridge → Gimhae Int’l Airport) operates at 25 minute intervals 36 times a day. The bus fare is 7,000 won for adults and 4,500 for children. The bus fare can be paid either by transportation card, by deferred payment transportation card, or by cash. In addition, 6 new CNG buses have been introduced onto the new route.

The Airport Limousine bus services to Busan Station (fare: 6,000 won for adults, 4,000 won for children) and Haeundae via Suyeong Intersection (fare: 7,000 won for adult, 4,500 won for children), will continue to operate from Gimhae International Airport as before.

A City official said, “The new airport limousine route will better meet the growing demand from the Haeundae area and visitors to Busan will be thrilled by the views from one of Busan’s most memorable landmark structures, Gwangan Bridge, on their way to Haeundae's hotels and especially when returning to Gimhae Airport on their departure from Busan.”

City launches meeting for married immigrants, scholarships, consultants

Life for expats living in Busan City is expected to become more comfortable as a married immigrant’s meeting has kicked off, scholarships are available for foreign students and there are free consulting services now available for foreign employees.

On March 29, Busan City launched a special meeting for foreign spouses who have married Koreans to listen to and resolve any issues they face living here by drawing up practical and detailed policies. As international marriages are increasing, the city is planning to reflect the difficulties and opinions of the foreign spouses in city policy. The committee consists of 16 foreign spouses from five countries: China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand and Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, in a bid to motivate foreign students studying in Busan, 14 schools including Pusan National University selected 18 students and delivered scholarship certificates to them on March 28. The move was aimed at helping foreign students achieve their potential, as well as fostering closer relations with the city and its collective foreign student body.

The city also participated in the 2012 Vietnam International Education Fair that took place in Ho Chi Minh City from April 8 to attract more foreign students there and actively promote its foreign resident support projects.

Busan City lawyers have also started a free law consulting service for foreign residents.

The Busan Bar Association and BS Busan Bank signed on an agreement for free legal consulting support for foreign employees on March 26. According to the agreement, they can meet with a lawyer from the Busan Bar Associati on and receive free law consulting on the first Sunday of every month from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. These meetings will take place at the Busan Bank Cultural Center for For eign Workers, which is located on the second floor of the Sinpyeong-dong branch of Busan Bank. 

Also at Haeundae District Office and Seo District Office, windows exclusively for foreigners have opened, providing explanations on the 29 kinds of documents in various languages.

The source of news: Dynamic Busan

The Busan Indonesia Center opened in Busan City, giving visitors a one-stop option to take care of issues relating to consular affairs, tourism, labor issues and flights. Now the Indonesian residents in Busan City can get their visas, collect business information and deal with other matters with greater convenience.

The five-story, 1,626-square-meter center opened its doors in Geumgok-dong, Buk-gu District on April 13, 2012. The building has a consulate office, tourism center, labor center and representative office of the national airline of Indonesia, Garuda Indonesia, which has recently entered the Korean market. There are also seminar and guest rooms for visiting Indonesian businessmen.

The center will also host cultural and sporting events, lectures and other programs delivering news and information from Indonesia to the 15,000 Indonesian employees living in the Yeongnam region.

Indonesian Ambassador H.E. Mr. Nicholas Tandi DAMMEN said, “With the new center opening, we hope the two country’s relations improve.”

For more information, please contact the Busan Indonesia Center at 051)806-5676

Dongnae Hakchum is performed at the Busan Folk Art Center in Geumgang Park.

Busan Cultural Foundation is having folk play performances and Korean traditional song performances every Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. at Yongdusan Park from this month. The Busan Folklore Conservation Association is also having a “Sunday Traditional Folk Play Hanmadang” at the Busan Folk Art Center Norimadang within Geumgang Park in Dongnae District every fourth Sunday from March to November.

From this month until October, a traditional cultural art performance program showing the charms of Busan citizens will be staged regularly on the outdoor stage in front of the entrance to Yongdusan Park Tower every Saturday from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. One or two teams will perform Norimadang a total of 30 times, providing entertainment for both local and foreign tourists.

On April 28 there will be a Samulnori Hanmadang performance by Korean traditional artists, and on June 23 a traditional Korean marriage will be staged for multicultural families who have not had a chance to experience this.

Meanwhile, Dongnaeyaryu and Dongnae Hakchum will be held on Sept. 1, and a “talchum” mask dance and “pangut” performance on Oct. 27.

Additionally, high-quality traditional performing arts shows, ‘Uri Garak, Uri Madang’ will be held every Sunday from this month to October on the outdoor stage at Yongdusan Park from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., including an Anseong Baudeoki rope-walking performance.

Another performances have been scheduled this year, including jazz and percussion concerts, Korean traditional music, and shows fusing Korea’s modern and traditional arts.

Busan Folklore Conservation Association is also staging a Norimadang performance at the Busan Folk Art Center in Geumgang Park, Dongnae District. The performance started from March 25 and is scheduled on April 22, June 24, Sept. 23, Oct. 28 and Nov. 25. The performances are: Dongnae Hakchum (crane dance), Dongnae Jisin Bapgi, Dongnae Gomu and Dongnae Hanryangchum.

The source of news: Dynamic Busan

The 17th Busan International Film Festival unveils this year’s official poster.

The poster is based on the work of one of the greatest artists in KOREA; HONG Purume’s painting ‘Opening His Light’ and designed by BIFF Artistic director, CHOI Soondae.

The original work is a visualization of light in the beginning of time. It represents the theme of god’s “creation” and “freedom”. The “light” in the poster symbolizes the world of light recreated by the film camera and the projector. The contrast between the black ink and the void directly speaks to the festival’s dynamic force.

HONG Purume is a professor of fine arts at Kosin University in Busan. She is one of the most important artists in Korean art and is internationally affiliated with Mimesis Contemporary Art Gallery, Switzerland and LES OREADES Gallery, Moscow.

The 17th Busan International Film Festival will take place from October 4 to 13, 2012.

Profile of HONG Purume

Professor of Fine Arts at Kosin University, Busan

Exclusive affiliation with Mimesis Contemporary Art Gallery, Switzerland

Exclusive affiliation with LES OREADES Gallery, Moscow

26 domestic and international private exhibitions

(Geneva, Moscow, New York, Taiwan, Seoul, Busan, Daejeon, etc)

300 domestic and international group exhibitions

(Moscow, Japan, USA, Taiwan, South Korea, etc)

The source of news: http://www.biff.kr/

The BEXCO (Busan Exhibition and Convention Center) has introduced the yacht as a part of their yacht convention business project, offering customers the opportunity to hold small-scale business meetings, special events and academic forums on the yacht. This is the only customized convention facility of this kind in Korea.

The 52ft catamaran with a seating capacity of 29 was introduced specifically for yacht conventions. Conference equipment - including a projector, projection screen and small conference room are provided on the yacht.

The yacht is named “Yacht B”, following a public naming contest. The letter “B” implies words which come to mind when one thinks of Busan such as Busan, BEXCO, Blue, Beautiful, and Business. 

The "Yacht B" will be preferentially used for those visiting Busan to consider the city as a potential international conference venue, as well as for domestic and international VIPs and participants of MICE (Meeting, Incentives, Convention & Exhibition) related events. Large-scale international events - like the Busan International Motor Show, 95th Lions Clubs International Convention, and World Water Congress & Exhibition - are scheduled to be held in Busan this year. Targeting foreign participants of the events, BEXCO plans to promote the ‘Yacht B’ as part of its marine tourism packages.  

In addition, yacht-based tour programs including sea fishing and sailing off Gwangalli and Haeundae Beaches will be introduced to the public to boost marine tourism.
  
‘Yacht B’ set sail on its first voyage, departing from Gwangalli Beach, on April 5, 2012.

The CEO of BEXCO, Kim Soo-ik said, “The launching of "Yacht B" aims to invigorate marine leisure tourism and the MICE industry in Busan, as well as to enhance the city's status as the marine capital of Korea.”    

For more information, please call 051) 740-7959 or visit the website at http://www.bexcoyacht.co.kr (currently only in Korean)

Busan City announced two slow city attractions - Bosu-dong Bookstore Alley and Galmaetgil Trail #2 (from the Moontan Road to Oryukdo Cruise Dock) - on March 29, 2012.

Busan City became a member of the “Supporters of Cittaslow” in 2009 and the City has now designated two slow city attractions to promote the slow city movement and to enhance citizens' quality of life. 

The first Slow City attraction, Bosu-dong Bookstore Alley, which is the only used bookstore alley in the country, not only has used books for sale but also a variety of cultural events and convenient facilities. Nearby tourist attractions including Jagalchi Fish Market, Gukje Market and Yongdusan Park are another reason to visit here.  

Bosu-dong Bookstore Alley in Jung District was established during the Korean War by refugees who sold used magazines obtained from U.S. army personnel for a living. It is the only used bookstore alley still open in Korea.

The 2nd Slow City attraction, Galmaetgil Trail #2, takes walkers along a beautiful coastal footpath.

The trail starts from the Moontan Road and finishes at Oryukdo Cruise Dock, via Dongbaekseom Island, Millak Bridge, Gwangalli Beach and Igidae Headland. 

A City official said, “We expect that the designation of certain slow city attractions will provide a new and unique way to experience Busan.”

On March 12, Huzhou Fengtai, a Chinese company that makes stainless steel pipes, promised to invest $69 million in Busan City ($32 million of which would be in the form of foreign direct investment). The company is headquartered in Huzhou, in Zhejiang Province, and has eight local offices in China. Last year it reaped total sales of 280 billion won ($248 million). The company promised to construct a factory on a 33,000-square-meter site on the Gangseo District Hwajeon Foreign Investment Zone.

Busan City also signed an MOU with Geislinger, an Austrian dampers and couplings manufacturer, in January worth $10 million. The company plans to invest this sum in the Mieum Foreign Investment Zone and construct a factory on an 11,570-square-meter site there.

As more foreign companies invest in the city, it is rising as a special economic zone in Northeast Asia. The Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone that opened in March 2004 has attracted 58 foreign companies in eight years, attracting $1.31 billion of foreign investment. Last year, the zone achieved $234 million of foreign investment in its high-tech industries and port logistics field. 

The reason that overseas companies are increasingly attracted to Mieum Foreign Investment Zone is because it has been designated as a foreign investment zone, a move boosted by aggressive marketing. This is supported by the redevelopment of the North Port, improved educational and medical facilities, better shopping for foreign residents, and a worldwide logistics network, all of which has had a strong synergy effect. The complex, which was designated a foreign investment zone last December, now offers foreign companies free land leases of up to 50 years if they do business there.

“In the future, we will continue to look for supporting systems so that more foreign investors can invest in Busan City. We will also work so that the city can become one of the representative special economic zones in Northeast Asia,” said a Busan City executive.

The source of news: Dynamic Busan

Geumryeonsan Youth Center will run '2012 Family Experience Events' every third Sunday of each month from March through October. The first event was held on Sunday, March 18.

Anyone, including teenagers, families and hikers, who visit the Youth Center on that day can enjoy the following programs.

1:00 p.m. ~ 5:00 p.m.

Observation of the sun at the astronomy observatory

Making pottery

Traditional Korean tea ceremony experience

Sports Climbing at the Hae Oreum (Rising Sun) Artificial Rock Climbing Walls

Reservations are not required. All programs are free of charge and the parking fee is 2,000 won.

In addition, visitors can take a picture here and get their picture developed for free.

An official of the Youth Center said, "We strive to provide a fun experience for all visitors. We hope that many people will come to the Center this Sunday and enjoy a variety of activities in the beautiful natural setting we have here." 

※ Events may be canceled in the case of inclement weather.

For more information, please contact Geumryeonsan Youth Center at 051) 610-3222.

20 local hotels designated as official expo accommodations, run shuttle between city and Yeosu

Visitors to Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea can maximize their trip by incorporating a tour of Busan City. As such, Busan City is now working to secure convenient transportation between the two cities during the three-month expo period. The organizing committee of the expo has also designated 20 hotels in Busan (about 4,000 rooms) as official accommodations of the Expo. Busan city is busy preparing for its guests by developing tours that connect with the expo theme. 

As Gimhae International Airport is the closest international airport to Yeosu, Busan City is expecting about 130,000 foreign tourists will visit Korea through Gimhae International Airport and Busan Port during the Expo period. This represents about 26 percent of the total 490,000 expected foreign visitors to the exposition.

Another reason that tourists will be tempted to visit Busan City is because Yeosu and nearby hotels and motels will not be able to accommodate everyone.

In fact, 16 civil servants from China’s Hebei Province including an expo delegation have decided to stay here and visited Busan to take a look around the hotels. Additionally, 25 German professors have elected to stay at the Toyoko-inn Hotel and have asked whether the city will be running a shuttle bus to Yeosu. Busan City will invite 400 Japanese lawmakers and hopes to attract as many tourists as possible during the expo. Apart from designating official accommodations, officials have confirmed that expo shuttle buses and cruise ships will be in operation.

Meanwhile, Busan City will also host a marine forum this year in connection with the expo. The city is also planning to offer a combined expo package of hotel, cruise tour and shuttle bus for tourists’ convenience.

Promoting city as a marine capital

World Ocean Forum to be held from June 3-7

Busan City will have an opportunity to make itself known as a marine capital to expo tourists when it hosts the World Ocean Forum from June 3 to 7 and runs the expo’s regional government hall.

For a period of four month from April to August, the city will operate a 72-square-meter hall at the expo site aimed at promoting its local culture, industry, development and creativity. The hall will serve as a demonstration center from April until May 11, when the expo officially gets under way, at which point the hall will become fully operational.

To maximize its presence despite the relatively small space, the Busan Hall has simplified its theme to “Northeast Asia Marine Capital Busan” and has been decorated with “killer contents” for tourists’ entertainment. It will be an experience zone where visitors can truly get to grips with the city’s evolving future as a marine hub.

A game zone and a large three-sided video and marine animation have been prepared to deliver the exhibition’s theme more effectively to tourists. The elaborate video screen allows visitors to see how it feels to operate a container crane, and take a journey through the city’s past and future while traveling in an aircraft.

Such efforts are aimed at promoting the high-tech logistics system at Busan New Port as well as the future of the city’s marine economy.

Marine life animation to debut at expo

A still from the animation “Marine Boy O Dae-yang”

Busan City is producing Korea’s first animation about marine life and the sea. Tentatively titled “Marine Boy O Dae-yang,” it will trace the seafaring adventures of a young Busan native as he searches for new marine micro-organism. The animation is scheduled to debut at the upcoming expo. In order to get it made in time, Busan City has been receiving proposals for the project since January and has reviewed them with a screening committee made up of outside experts. On Feb. 27, local authorities signed an agreement with production company Characterplan to produce the animation.

The theme, chosen by a public contest, will aim to highlight the potential of the ocean through Busan boy’s adventures. The animation is due to be unveiled the public at Busan Hall of the Yeosu Expo.

National Maritime Museum to open

Air view of National Maritime Museum, which will be completed by early May

Korea’s one and only National Maritime Museum will be opening in line with the expo after construction wraps up in early May.

The museum is being built in Yeong-do District Dongsam-dong on a gross floor area of 45,444-square meters. It will have one floor underground and four stories above ground, and is being built with a budget of 114.2 billion won ($100.4 million).

Busan City has been collecting and purchasing thousands of relics over the last two years to display in the museum and it has already secured 9,000 rare and valuable items. The highlights include a six-person Viking ship that used to belong to the Viking Museum in Copenhagen, a Venetian gondola and a reconstructed ship from the Joseon Tongsinsa.

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Details of the expo

The official name of the expo is Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea. It will take place in Jeolla Province near the Yeosu New Port from May 12 and run for three months. This is one of the three major world events along with the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. The theme of the Yeosu Expo is “The Living Ocean and Coast.” It will provide visitors with plenty to see and promote Korea’s marine abilities to the world.

Expo tickets and reservations

Expo tickets can be obtained through the websites of the organizing committee (www.expo2012.or.kr) or Interpark (www.interpark.com). People can also purchase tickets off-line at Gwangju Bank, the Industrial Bank of Korea and E-Mart. Tickets cost 33,000 won ($29) for an adult standard day pass.

With the ticket, visitors can see the exhibitions and all the performances on that day.

Early reservations until April 30 will receive a 5 percent discount. Groups of more than 30 people can enjoy a 20 percent discount, while foreign visitor groups can save an additional 10 percent if they book through Korea Association of Travel Agents (KATA).

The expo will open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The source of news: Dynamic Busan

Provided with the chance to experience Korean culture, take part in a home stay and go sightseeing around Busan, the two winners able to come this year were the winners of the Kaohsiung and Shimonoseki contests.

The BFIA supports these contests and invites the First Prize winners of each contest to Busan every year in order to motivate foreigners to learn Korean and to promote friendships between Busan's residents and the residents of its sisterhood cities.

The Kaohsiung contest was held for the first time in 2011, and was very enthusiastically received.

This Busan City policy aims to boost the trade of traditional local markets, to protect small businesses and to enhance the labor welfare of employees at the very large stores and the smaller SSMs.