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Gimhae International Airport gets an upgrade After five years of construction, the Gimhae International Airport unveiled a second expansion of its international terminal on April 26. The first expansion was completed in 2016. However, the number of international passengers surpassed 10 million in 2018 and 2019. The insufficient capacity resulted in long wait times for ticketing, baggage claims and immigration.With this second expansion, the terminal can now comfortably accommodate 8.3 million passengers annually, a substantial increase of 31.7 percent from the previous capacity of 6.3 million. This means shorter wait times and a more pleasant travel experience for all. The expansion includes 11 new immigration checkpoints and two additional baggage claims to reduce congestion at the arrival areas. The changes help Gimhae International Airport better serve passengers until the forthcoming Gadeokdo New Airport is completed in 2029, which is expected to handle all inbound and outbound international travel in the region.In addition, Busan is actively pursuing additional air routes. In February, Korea and Indonesia agreed to expand the number of flights between their airports, paving the way for more travel opportunities between the countries.Busan is also anticipating opening direct flights to North America and Europe.<Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>construction: 공사 unveil: 공개하다 expansion: 확장 passenger: 승객 insufficient: 불충분한 capacity: 수용력 accommodate: 수용하다 substantial: 상당한 forthcoming: 다가오는 pursue: 힘쓰다Editor: Song SoomiCopy Editors: Kim Miyoung, Anton J. Mapoy
F-2-R visa application for international students is now open Busan is accepting applications from international students for its F-2-R regional specialized residency visa until May 10. The F-2-R visa, implemented by the Ministry of Justice, enables foreigners to live in Korea for five years, provided they work and reside in government-designated areas. Busan has been allocated 120 visas, 40 each for Seo-gu District, Dong-gu District and Yeongdo-gu District. The city will initiate a second round of applications if the quota remains unfilled.The visa program encourages foreign nationals and their families to settle in depopulated areas to address labor shortages in local industries, boost the economy and reverse negative population trends.Eligible applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a university based in Busan or be in their final semester with an expected graduation date.F-2-R visa holders must also live in the designated area for at least two years after receiving the visa and are then free to live in other districts in the region that are designated as at risk of population decline. In principle, applicants must live and work in the designated area, but there are four types of exceptions:Type A: live in the designated area and be able to get a job in other parts of the city.Type B: live in the designated area with family members and be able to get a job in other parts of the cityType C: live in the other parts of the city and be employed in the designated area Type D: live in other parts of the city and start a business in the designated area.Applicants must also demonstrate Korean proficiency at TOPIK level 3 or higher or have completed level 3 or higher in the Korea Immigration and Integration Program. Those intending to apply must also submit a letter of recommendation from their university and meet other requirements mandated by the district office having jurisdiction over the applicant's residence and/or company.All application materials must be submitted by 6 p.m. on May 10. Results will be sent individually via text message on May 24. For details, check the official announcement on City Hall’s homepage. ◎Announcement: Click here<Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>regional: 지역의 residency: 거주 allocate: 할당하다 initiate: 착수하다 quota: 할당량 settle in: 정착하다 designated: 지정된 demonstrate: 발휘하다Editor: Song SoomiCopy Editors: Kim Miyoung, Anton J. Mapoy
Busan creates a 'village' to reverse low fertility rate On March 13, Mayor Park visited a local elementary school and met children participating in new afterschool programs.　Korea's total fertility rate－the average number of children born to a woman during her reproductive years－fell to 0.72 last year, breaking its record for the lowest fertility rate in the world. The figure marks eight straight years of decline.　This demographic crisis is felt most keenly in Busan, where the fertility rate stands at 0.66, the second lowest among major metropolitan areas nationwide. The declining fertility rate goes hand-in-hand with a marked increase in the proportion of elderly citizens. The city passed the threshold of a "super-aged" society in 2021, when people aged 65 and older made up 21% of the population. 　These factors, along with migration that sees young adults flock to Seoul in search of better jobs, mean the city's population is shrinking and aging at an alarming rate.　The trend does not appear to be abating soon. Births in Busan have declined by 50% in a decade. Last year, 12,900 babies were born in the city, a record-low figure since data tracking began in 1981. 　City Hall is tackling the demographic problem head-on. Officials are working to enhance the quality of life for families. 　To do this, Busan is ensuring parents have the means and support to raise children. Under the ethos of "it takes a village to raise a child," the city is promoting the "Aeji-jungji" campaign. Translated as "Caring for your child as you do," it reflects Busan's commitment to caring for children the moment they are born.　When introducing this new campaign, Mayor Park Heong-joon said, "I will raise our Busan children with the same care as I would my own children."　Under Aeji-jungji, City Hall and the Busan Office of Education have developed an "edu-care" system to expand and enhance public childcare and education. The city's daycare centers and kindergartens will open until 8 p.m. or later. The city will also operate 24-hour emergency childcare facilities. Elementary schools will extend their afterschool programs. In collaboration with local universities, these programs will develop students' physical, mental and emotional health and expose them to enriching educational opportunities. 　Additionally, Busan will help pay childcare expenses. Parents will no longer bear the additional costs of special activities. Multichild families will also receive support through the Dongbaekjeon financial system.　Finally, Busan will revolutionize it's education infrastructure. From elementary school to university, students will have access to the skills required to advance key industries and compete in the global economy. 　By providing better education, jobs, and childcare services, Busan expects to reverse the negative demographic trends plaguing the city.　Mayor Park summed up the need for action, "To tackle the decreased population, we need to recognize the underlying issues and find the practical countermeasures. We will make Busan a good place to have and raise children."<Voca Spotlight>fertility rate: 출산율demographic: 인구통계, 인구통계학적인keenly: 예리하게proportion: 비율threshold: 임계치, 임계값flock to: ~에 몰려들다

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