Busan is good

Conclusion of the “2025 Eurasia Urban Diplomacy Delegation” Journey… Busan Shouted Out in the Cultural City of Berlin!

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) and the Busan Global City Foundation (CEO Jeon Yong-woo) announced that the “2025 Eurasia Urban Diplomacy Delegation” concludes its 10,420-kilometer Eurasian journey today (September 25) with Berlin as its final destination.

Comprised of over 100 participants including business leaders, cultural figures, and youth, the Urban Diplomacy Delegation began its journey on September 10, covering Beijing, Ulaanbaatar, Almaty, Istanbul, and Berlin. Having completed all programs, the delegation returns to Korea today (September 25).

On September 22, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time, the delegation held its main event, “Busan Day in Berlin,” at Kühlhaus Berlin to promote Busan’s history, culture, and city brand.

Kühlhaus, once used as a cold storage warehouse and industrial facility in the 1990s, has been transformed into a cultural complex for art exhibitions, concerts, and various events through an urban regeneration project.

The event consisted of an opening ceremony, performances, and a Busan promotional and experience booth. Berlin citizens, local institutional representatives, cultural figures, and members of the Korean community were invited to experience Busan’s charm.

The stage was co-created with youth from both cities, featuring a Korean traditional dance performance by Busan youth delegation members, a show by a local Berlin dance team, and a joint K-pop performance by youth from Busan and Berlin. This was followed by the appointment of “Global Youth Ambassadors in Berlin” and a special performance by the Busan Metropolitan Dance Company.

At the Busan promotional and experience booth, citizens of Berlin were introduced to Busan and Korean culture through displays of Busan souvenirs, tastings of traditional snacks and beverages, and the distribution of promotional materials.

On September 23, the delegation attended the closing performance of “Musikfest Berlin,” where the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra, the first Asian orchestra ever invited by the Berlin Philharmonic, delivered a performance described as a gift to the audience.

Throughout the 16-day journey, the Urban Diplomacy Delegation achieved its goals of strengthening intercity networks and promoting Busan as a global hub city, thereby raising Busan’s international profile.

In Beijing, eight beauty and healthcare companies from Busan held business consultations and exchange meetings to explore opportunities for entering the Chinese market.

In Ulaanbaatar, representatives from 13 Busan universities participated in a study-abroad fair to secure global talent. The delegation also visited a public kindergarten in an existing Official Development Assistance (ODA) project area to conduct educational and environmental improvement activities.

In Almaty, the delegation hosted “Busan–Almaty Night of Cultural Exchange” for members of the Koryo-saram community, reinforcing cultural ties between the two cities through art while reflecting on the historic significance of the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation.

In Istanbul, the delegation held a “Thank You Ceremony for Korean War Veterans” to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN), acting as a peace delegation beyond economic and cultural exchange.

Lee Jun-seung, Vice Mayor for Administrative Affairs of Busan Metropolitan City, stated:
“Since its launch in 2016 as the first initiative of its kind among local governments, the Eurasia Urban Diplomacy Delegation has, over the past decade, greatly contributed to promoting Busan as a global hub city while walking together with Eurasia. We hope that the Urban Diplomacy Delegation will further develop next year into a participatory public diplomacy body made with citizens and a central axis of exchange and cooperation between Busan and Eurasian cities.”