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Busan Holds Kick-off Briefing for Year Two of the “Blockchain Specialized Cluster Development” Project

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The Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it will hold a kick-off briefing for the second year of the “Blockchain Specialized Cluster Development” project today (June 17) at 2:00 PM at the Blockchain Technology Innovation Support Center (8th floor, Busan International Finance Center).

○ The event will be attended by officials from the City of Busan, the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA)—the project’s managing agency, Busan Techno Park—the implementing agency, and 24 selected companies along with related institutions.

○ The event aims to share project objectives and progress plans with stakeholders.

The Blockchain Specialized Cluster Development Project is a large-scale initiative launched in 2024 to foster blockchain companies and strengthen the regional ecosystem. It is a three-year project (2024–2026) with a total investment of KRW 20 billion (KRW 10 billion from the national government and KRW 10 billion from the city). Based on last year’s achievements, this year’s project adds a new global support track.

○ In 2024, the project secured KRW 15 billion in investment and created 93 new jobs, successfully completing the development and commercialization of three blockchain platforms, including a trade history management service.

This year, the project moves into full-scale implementation, with selected companies assigned to the following areas:
▲ 10 companies for Regional Convergence Projects
▲ 14 companies for Commercialization Support
▲ 7 companies for Global Market Entry Support

○ In the Regional Convergence Projects category:

• ●The designated project continues with the Port Logistics Real-Time Information Sharing Platform, led by Busan Port Authority.

• ●New open-topic projects include:
  · Closed-Loop Platform for Recycled Plastic Resources
  · Blockchain-based AI Smart Order Service for Personalized Medicine
  These initiatives are expected to enhance carbon reduction efforts and improve access to personalized healthcare for elderly and underserved populations.

○ The Commercialization Support Program promotes blockchain service development and investment attraction by matching startups with private investors. 14 companies were selected from 42 applicants.

○ The newly introduced Global Market Entry Support track includes 7 companies that will participate in GITEX Dubai in October 2025, supported with booth space and investor pitch sessions (IR).

The City of Busan plans to expand the regional blockchain foundation and support global advancement by strengthening enterprise competitiveness and translating industrial potential into tangible results.

Nam Dong-woo, Director of Financial & Startup Policy for Busan, stated,
“With growing national interest in digital industries like blockchain, we are at a critical turning point,”
adding, “Through this second year of the Blockchain Specialized Cluster Development Project, we will unlock growth potential for local companies and strengthen our capabilities for global outreach to establish a resilient blockchain industry.”

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Appendix 1: Kick-off Briefing Overview

• ●Title: 2025 Blockchain Specialized Cluster Development Project Kick-off Briefing

• ●Date/Time: June 17, 2025 (Tue), 14:00–16:00

• ●Venue: Blockchain Technology Innovation Support Center, 8F, BIFC

• ●Organizers: Busan Metropolitan City / Busan Techno Park, Ministry of Science and ICT / KISA

• ●Participants: Officials from Busan City, KISA, Busan Techno Park, Busan Port Authority, and 50 stakeholders

• ●Agenda: Project overview and presentations from participating companies (10 companies in 3 consortia for convergence projects, 14 commercialization support companies)

Appendix 2: Project Summary

• ●Project Name: Blockchain Specialized Cluster Development

• ●Period: 2024–2026 (3 years)

• ●Budget: KRW 20 billion (KRW 10B national, KRW 10B city)

• ●2025 Budget: KRW 4.84 billion (split equally)

• ●Agencies: Ministry of Science and ICT, Busan Metropolitan City, KISA, Busan Techno Park

• ●Main Components:
  ▪ Regional Convergence Projects
  ▪ Commercialization Support (14 companies)
  ▪ Global Market Entry Support (7 companies)

Participating Companies

• ●Convergence Projects (examples):
  · SmartM2M, Goldlux Shipping, SmartCube – Real-time logistics info-sharing platform (port-focused)
  · Creative Code – Closed-loop recycled plastic platform
  · AI Platform – Personalized AI smart medicine ordering system

• ●Commercialization Support (14 companies):
  · ReTrust, Primus, SejongDX, Medifund, DeepBrain, CK Bridge, and others

• ●Global Market Entry (7 companies):
  · MarinaChain, AI Platform, DeepBrain, Eluty, Creative Code, SaferZone, CK Bridge