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“2026 Blockchain Specialized Cluster Development Project” to Focus on Corporate Investment and Growth

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding today (19th) with the Korea Internet & Security Agency and Busan Technopark to ensure the successful implementation of the “2026 Blockchain Specialized Cluster Development Project” and has officially launched the project.

This project is being carried out over three years from 2024 to 2026 with a total budget of KRW 20 billion (KRW 10 billion from the City and KRW 10 billion from the national government), jointly invested by the City and the Ministry of Science and ICT. The initiative focuses on accelerating the digital transformation of regional industries by identifying practical and viable blockchain business models.

The Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), as the dedicated agency, will oversee and manage the overall project, while Busan Technopark, as the implementing organization, will take the lead in operating field-oriented detailed projects to enhance the project’s effectiveness.

In particular, the City successfully secured the full amount of national funding this year, which had been partially reduced last year. Based on the increased financial capacity, the City will significantly expand the scale of support this year.

Building on tangible achievements over the past two years—KRW 17.8 billion in investment attraction and 123 new jobs created—and the additional national funding secured, the City plans to broaden budgetary support this year to ensure that local companies can receive substantial benefits.

The main components of the project include ▲ Regional Specialized Convergence Joint Projects (KRW 4.05 billion total, 3 projects) ▲ Business Commercialization Support (KRW 1.4 billion total, 14 companies) ▲ Global Expansion Support (3 countries, approximately 6–10 companies). These will be implemented through field-specific public calls from late February to March. Further details can be found on the Busan Technopark website.

For the joint projects, tasks with high potential for synergy through the application of blockchain technology in industrial settings will be selected. For business commercialization support, companies will be divided into early-stage and growth-stage enterprises, and priming funds will be provided to 14 companies to drive service development and business expansion.

To strengthen the global competitiveness of outstanding local companies, the City plans to support participation in major ICT exhibitions in Singapore (April), Vietnam (September), and Dubai (December). The support will include marketing and investor relations (IR) pitching opportunities, as well as coverage of accommodation expenses for one participant per company.

Meanwhile, the City plans to establish a full-cycle support system encompassing technology demonstration, commercialization, investment linkage, and overseas expansion to accelerate the digital transformation of regional industries and the creation of high value-added outcomes.

In particular, the “Real-Time Information Sharing Platform for Shipping, Ports, and Logistics (Port-i)” of the Busan Port Authority, selected as a designated project for three consecutive years, has successfully completed its development and demonstration phases. Starting this year, full-scale commercialization across Busan Port will be pursued to achieve concrete outcomes such as improved port operational efficiency, cost reductions, and additional cargo volume attraction, while expanding data linkages among domestic and international ports to establish itself as a global standard platform hub.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “With a significant expansion of budget support this year, we will dedicate our policy capacity to creating tangible growth drivers that companies can directly experience.” He added, “Through a full-cycle support system that spans from technology demonstration to commercialization and entry into the global market, we will support the growth of regional blockchain companies and do our utmost to enable Busan to leap forward as a true global hub city.”