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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced today (November 11) that it has submitted to the City Council its 2026 main budget plan totaling 17.933 trillion KRW, an increase of 7.5% (1.25 trillion KRW) from the previous year.
Taking into account economic conditions and expected tax revenues for 2026, the city formulated the budget within a stable fiscal management framework while expanding expenditures to secure essential funds for completing the vision of the 8th popularly elected administration, maintaining the public debt ratio at an appropriate level.
The 2026 budget focuses on the two main goals of the 8th administration — a city of citizens’ happiness and a global hub city — with priority given to the following six areas:
① A city of shared happiness for all citizens,
② A future-oriented, attractive city people want to live in,
③ A global logistics hub city,
④ A global finance and startup hub city,
⑤ A global digital and new industries city, and
⑥ A global culture and tourism city.
[Realizing a Warm, Inclusive Care System: 6.6111 trillion KRW]
Busan will strengthen its tailored welfare system for all citizens.
●The “Busan Together Care” program will expand eligibility from households earning below 70% of the median income to those earning below 100%, and will provide customized care services such as post-discharge care and hospital escort assistance.
●The activity support rate for persons with disabilities will be raised from 16,620 KRW to 17,270 KRW per hour, and 10 additional special transportation vehicles (Duribal) will be introduced (from 222 to 232).
●Construction will begin on the “Active Senior Complex HaHa Campus” to support healthy aging, and six additional “Our Neighborhood ESG Centers” will be established (from 10 to 16).
●The “50+ Integrated Support Center” will be built to offer education, job creation, and start-up opportunities for middle-aged citizens, expanding related job programs from 490 to 600 participants.
●The scope of the veterans’ honor allowance will be expanded to include persons of national merit such as those injured in service or awarded national honors.
●Financial support will newly cover common facility improvements for housing complexes affected by charter fraud (approximately 10 apartment buildings).
[Building a Child-Friendly City: 1.4125 trillion KRW]
Busan will create a child- and parent-friendly environment that supports childbirth and childcare.
●Parents’ participation fees (10,000 KRW/month) will be newly supported for 3- and 4-year-olds in daycare centers, and special activity fees (30,000 KRW/month) will be covered for all children aged 3–5 to promote truly free childcare.
●Meal and snack support for infants (aged 0–2) will be increased from 8,000 to 12,000 KRW per month.
●Daycare fee subsidies of 100,000 KRW per month will newly be provided to infants of foreign nationality, ensuring equal access to childcare.
●The maternal and newborn health management service will expand to include family caregivers.
●A total of 200 integrated children’s cultural spaces will be established and operated to support each stage from childbirth to education.
[Building a Safe Public Healthcare System and Citizen Safety City: 579.5 billion KRW]
●The city will construct a Respiratory Care Center and a Children’s Hospital at Busan Medical Center to strengthen the public healthcare infrastructure.
●Facilities such as the Dalbit Children’s Hospital and Busan Regional Trauma Centers will improve the regional emergency medical network.
●Fire-prevention “arc fault circuit interrupters” will be installed in 1,000 aging apartment units, and safety checks on old tunnels and IT systems will be intensified.
[Spreading the 15-Minute City Model: 159.1 billion KRW]
Busan aims to realize an urban model where essential services are available within 15 minutes of residence.
●The city will continue the “15-Minute Policy Competition,” “Happy Challenge,” and “Vision Tour Season 2” programs.
●Landmark projects include nighttime landscape installations at Samnak and Hwamyeong Ecological Parks, and an art pavilion and eco-friendly wooden observatory at Igidae Park.
●Busan will host a world-class design fair and operate the Organizing Committee for World Design Capital Busan 2028, elevating its global design city status.
●“Happiness Mileage” incentives will encourage healthy lifestyles and community participation, supported by AI-based citizen service platforms.
[Establishing a Smart Public Transport and Mobility Environment: 683.2 billion KRW]
●Expansion of transportation passes such as Dongbaek Pass, K-Pass, and new flat-rate passes will reduce commuting costs.
●Free tolls will continue at Garak Tollgate, Eulsukdo Bridge, and Sanseong Tunnel during rush hours.
●Autonomous buses and demand-responsive transport (DRT) services will expand.
●Card payment fee support for corporate taxis will increase from 30,000 to 40,000 KRW per month, and 6,000 taxi dashcams and 1,666 truck safety devices will be supplied.
[Creating a Low-Carbon Green City: 645.2 billion KRW]
●Heat-blocking and evaporative cooling systems will be installed for vulnerable groups.
●The city will support water source regions through cooperative funding to secure clean water.
●Projects include the designation of Geumjeongsan as a national park, Nakdong River National Garden, and Eulsukdo National Urban Park.
●Urban greening will continue with the “Sanssjang” forest gym in Chujagol, renovation of Eden Amusement Park, and the Dalmaji Park project.
[Developing Triport-Based Global Hub Infrastructure: 130.8 billion KRW]
●Construction of Gadeokdo New Airport will proceed as planned, with timely land compensation and a master plan for integrating passenger and cargo logistics.
●Infrastructure improvements will continue for the North Port redevelopment and expansion of the South Port West Breakwater.
●Work will continue on the Sasang–Hadan metro line and begin on the Hadan–Noksan line to enhance regional connectivity.
[Building a Global Marine Industry Hub: 106.6 billion KRW]
●Busan will host the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Infrastructure Center and complete the Marina Business Center.
●Development of the Fisheries Food Cluster and Smart Aquaculture Big Data Center will drive high-value-added fisheries industries.
●Relocation support for Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries employees will include 100 government housing units and settlement subsidies to encourage long-term residency.
[Building Future-Oriented Urban Innovation Infrastructure: 203.3 billion KRW]
●The city will pursue balanced growth through an Urban Living Zone Plan and Western Busan Innovation Master Plan.
●Projects include redevelopment of the Sasang Industrial District and expansion of expressways and tunnels, such as the Manduk–Centum Urban Expressway and the Seung-hak Tunnel.
[Establishing a Digital Finance and Asian Startup Hub: 62.6 billion KRW]
●The Busan Future Industry Conversion Fund (nine phases planned) will support digital and green transformation of SMEs.
●Startup infrastructure will expand with the Global Startup Hub Busan in North Port, an Advanced Knowledge Industry Center in Eco Delta City, and the Busan Green Startup Town at the Dongmyung University site.
[Creating a City Where Youth Dream and Grow: 69.7 billion KRW]
●Up to 1 million KRW per person will be provided to 1,200 young workers under the Youth Leap Support Program.
●The Busan Youth Job Matching Internship will connect 150 young job seekers with local companies.
●Rental support and interest subsidies will assist up to 2,000 young households in securing housing.
●The Youth Cultural Pass will expand to 10,000 participants, and 6,000 additional beneficiaries will receive asset-building support.
[Promoting Industry–Academia Collaboration and Nurturing Future Talent: 210.4 billion KRW]
●192 billion KRW will go toward the RISE (Regional Innovation System for Education) project linking universities with regional development.
●Programs such as the “Waterloo-style Co-op Program” and “Industry-Academia Field Practice Bridge Project” will train job-ready professionals.
●New initiatives include university “Open Labs” and the “STEM Village” to strengthen research-industry cooperation.
[Revitalizing the Local Economy and Supporting Livelihoods: 204.7 billion KRW]
●The “Dongbaekjeon” local currency will issue 1.2 trillion KRW to boost neighborhood economies.
●Interest support for SME loans will increase (1.5% → 2.0%), and financial assistance for export insurance and guarantees will be expanded.
●Ten teams of F&B entrepreneur-type small businesses will receive innovation support, and 120 struggling small enterprises will benefit from the Business Improvement Total Package.
●Traditional market facilities will be modernized, including three new parking lots and consumer rebate programs across 100 markets.
[Attracting Future Industries and Strengthening Innovation: 229.1 billion KRW]
●Investment incentives will support reshoring and local investment promotion.
●AI-based smart nursing home and “Age-Tech” health care platforms will be introduced.
●A testbed for power semiconductor clusters and facilities such as a particle accelerator and Elastic Material Research Center will be developed.
[Upgrading Core Industries and Industrial Infrastructure: 68.7 billion KRW]
●Four new Busan “Anchor Companies” will be selected for support (expanding from 9 to 13).
●R&D projects for mobility parts and XR-based digital twin systems will continue.
●Ten additional industrial shuttle buses will be operated (from 47 to 57), with improved amenities and cultural centers for workers.
[Cultivating a World-Class Cultural and Artistic City: 335.2 billion KRW]
●Busan will host major events such as the North Port Opera Gala Concert, Classic Busan Festival, and a special reopening exhibition at the Busan Museum of Art.
●Construction will proceed on the Busan Opera House and a world-class art museum.
●Artistic support will expand, providing 9 million KRW each to 300 young artists under the K-Art Youth Creator Support Project.
●Building on the success of the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee hosted in Busan, the city will strengthen its identity as a “World Heritage City.”
[Creating a City of Active Sports for All: 157.5 billion KRW]
●Two “Runner Stations” will be established to promote jogging culture, and large-scale events such as the Seven Bridges Tour: Riding in Busan will be expanded.
●Projects include the reconstruction of Sajik Baseball Stadium, new community sports facilities, and 15-minute access to leisure amenities.
[Building a Global Tourism and MICE Hub City: 95.2 billion KRW]
●The Visit Busan Pass system will expand issuance and install 24-hour kiosks.
●Busan will develop new tourism content such as K-content, gastronomy, and marine tourism.
●Local festivals, including the Busan Fireworks Festival and Busan Sea Festival, will be further enhanced.
●Construction of BEXCO Exhibition Hall 3 will strengthen the city’s competitiveness as a global MICE destination.
Mayor Park stated, “The 2026 budget reflects our sincere efforts to include projects that will allow citizens to truly feel the changes achieved during the 8th administration.”
He added, “Based on this budget, we will complete, together with our citizens, the puzzle of ‘Busan, a city people want to live in even if born again,’ and ‘Busan, a global hub city.’”
He continued, “We will ensure that the precious resources entrusted to us by citizens are used wisely to open a new future for Busan. I ask for the active support and cooperation of the City Council, and the continued interest and participation of all citizens.”
This content has been translated by AI. Please refer to the attached original Korean version for accuracy if needed.
Translated by AI
Link to Busan press releases in Korean
Copyright © Busan Metropolitan City. All rights reserved.