Busan Signs Agreement for Establishment of “HAHA Campus”… Joining Forces for Successful Implementation

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that today (September 16) at 09:30, it will host a signing ceremony for the establishment of the “HAHA Campus” with Catholic University of Pusan, Korea Academic Schools Foundation, and Geumjeong-gu at the International Protocol Office of City Hall.

Participants at the ceremony will include Mayor Park Heong-joon, National Assembly Member Baek Jong-heon, Hong Kyung-wan, President of Catholic University of Pusan, Lee Ha-un, Chairman of Korea Academic Schools Foundation, and Yoon Il-hyun, Mayor of Geumjeong-gu.

This agreement has been prepared to successfully promote the establishment of the “HAHA Campus” on the grounds of Catholic University of Pusan’s Theology Campus and to build a collaborative system among related institutions.

Under this agreement, the City will oversee the overall project implementation, Catholic University of Pusan will provide land and school facilities free of charge, the Korea Academic Schools Foundation will support the project administratively and institutionally, and Geumjeong-gu will promote the construction of a public sports center (National Fitness Center) within the campus. All parties will actively work together to ensure the successful progress of the project.

“HAHA Campus” to Be Established as a Large-Scale Senior Complex Utilizing University Facilities for the First Time in the Nation

The “HAHA Campus” will be developed as the nation’s first large-scale senior complex utilizing unused university facilities, designed to provide seniors with a healthy and vibrant later life.

Within a 63,515 square meter site at Catholic University of Pusan’s Theology Campus, unused facilities will be converted into a senior complex that integrates culture, leisure, health, sports, education, employment, housing, and silver industry services for active seniors (those in their 50s and 60s who actively participate in post-retirement consumption and social activities) and citizens alike.

Following the entry of the baby boomer generation (born 1955–1963) into the senior demographic, Busan’s aging trend has accelerated. By 2030, seniors are projected to account for more than 30 percent of Busan’s total population. At the same time, the declining student population is expected to leave more university facilities unused nationwide.

In April, the City completed the feasibility study and basic planning and is now proceeding with administrative steps for full-scale project implementation, including review of local finance investment, applications for Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism projects, and other processes. Basic and detailed designs are scheduled to begin in 2026, with the first phase of projects and construction of the sports center expected to be completed by the end of 2028.

In addition, Catholic University of Pusan decided in March last year to open its Theology Campus to the public. Ahead of the full-scale establishment of the HAHA Campus, the City organized a dedicated task force with 15 related organizations and departments, identifying and operating six “seed projects.”

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “Our city views the super-aged society not as a crisis but as a new opportunity, and we are formulating detailed policies to transform seniors into drivers of social and economic growth. The HAHA Campus will serve as a new regional cooperation model, simultaneously addressing the shortage of senior lifelong education and public facilities resulting from an increasing elderly population, and the issue of declining student enrollment at local universities.”

He added, “Through this MOU, we will make efforts to accelerate the project’s progress and expand HAHA Campuses as community hubs that reflect the unique characteristics of the local area and universities, to make Busan a city where seniors can enjoy a high quality of life.”