Busan is good

A Fresh Look for the Aging Outdoor Signage at the 10-Year-Old Busan International Finance Center (BIFC)!

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The Busan Metropolitan City Government (Mayor Park Heong-joon), in cooperation with the BIFC Management Council and the Busan Finance Center, has completed a comprehensive renovation of the outdoor signage at the Busan International Finance Center (BIFC)—a landmark of the "Global Financial Hub City, Busan."

Note: The BIFC Management Council consists of representatives from the building's owners (12 from office facilities, 3 from retail facilities) and makes decisions related to the BIFC premises.

Following the finalization of the new signage design, detailed planning began in July 2024, with production and installation commencing in November. All construction was completed by early April 2025.

Through this project, 17 unnecessary signs—including bicycle parking signs—were removed, 11 were replaced or repaired, and 3 new signs, including vehicle entrance and media signage, were installed.

The initiative was launched because the aging signboards and guideposts around the BIFC had become an eyesore, with issues such as faded paint, rust, and letters falling off, often obscured by trees—causing inconvenience to employees and visitors alike. Recognizing the need for action, the city, the Management Council, and the Busan Finance Center jointly promoted the project.

In July 2023, the City requested the Management Council to repair and improve the signage and surrounding environment. The full-scale effort began in 2024 to create a setting befitting Busan’s status as a global financial hub.

The final design of the revamped signage, developed through multiple council meetings, features a visual motif inspired by the BIFC Phase 1 building and incorporates a crisp blue color scheme representing finance. LED lighting was added for enhanced visibility at night.

Additionally, previously Korean-only signage was replaced with English-priority bilingual signs, creating a more English-friendly business environment aligned with the identity of a global financial city.

A new media sign was also installed near Exit 3 of the BIFC Subway Station (Line 2), which will be used to showcase various media content and promote businesses located within the BIFC.

Later this year, Phase 3 of the BIFC, slated for completion by year-end, will feature a large-scale media wall and more English-language signage, further establishing BIFC as an English-friendly financial district that can attract global companies and talent.

Nam Dong-woo, Director of Financial Start-up Policy for the City of Busan, stated,

“By replacing outdated signage and expanding English-language displays, we’re enhancing Busan’s international competitiveness and strengthening its global business environment.
We expect this will further establish BIFC as a key landmark and the centerpiece of the 'Global Financial Hub City' vision.”
“Moving forward, we will continue to devote our efforts to making BIFC a globally recognized financial hub.”

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[Appendix 1] Project Overview

Project Background

• ●The existing signage suffered from deterioration, poor visibility due to positioning and surrounding landscape, and damaged the overall aesthetic—necessitating replacement and repair.

• ●In line with the designation of BIFC as an English-friendly business district, English-priority bilingual signage was installed to enhance infrastructure for a globally accessible financial city.

Project Details

• ●Location: Munhyeon Financial District, 40 Munhyeon Financial-ro, Nam-gu

• ●Duration: July 2023 – April 2025 (completed)

• ●Budget: Approximately KRW 300 million (privately funded)

• ●Scope: Repair and replacement of outdoor signage around the BIFC

• ○3 newly installed

• ○9 replaced

• ○2 repaired

• ○17 removed (including bicycle storage signs)

Project Timeline

• ●Jul 2023: City requested signage repairs → to BIFC Management Council

• ●May 2024: Installation plan approved (69th BIFC Management Council meeting)

• ●Jun 2024: Final design confirmed (71st BIFC Management Council meeting)

• ●Jul–Oct 2024: Detailed design phase

• ●Nov 2024: Signage installation and repairs implemented

• ●Apr 2025: Project completed

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[Appendix 2] Before & After Photos

Before Renovation

After Renovation