Busan is good

18 Outstanding Proactive Public Officials Selected… Spreading a Culture of Challenge and Action in Public Service

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Park Heong-joon, announced that it convened the Proactive Administration Committee on the 25th and finalized the selection of 10 outstanding cases and 1 challenge case from among proactive administration initiatives implemented in the second half of 2025. A total of 18 officials who led these initiatives have been selected as “Outstanding Proactive Public Officials for the Second Half of 2025.”

The selected officials demonstrated proactive performance by overcoming conventional practices and regulatory constraints through creative and challenging problem-solving, producing results that citizens can tangibly experience. The City selected ▲4 officials from 3 cases for the Grand Prize ▲9 officials from 5 cases for Excellence ▲4 officials from 2 cases for Encouragement ▲1 official from 1 case for the Challenge Award.

Since 2020, the City has conducted semiannual selections of outstanding proactive public officials to promote and expand a culture of active and dedicated public service.

For this round, 38 proactive administration cases were identified through departmental and institutional recommendations. After performance verification and working-level evaluations, along with an online vote participated in by approximately 3,700 citizens, the final selections were made by the Proactive Administration Committee, which includes private-sector members.

Three cases involving four officials received the Grand Prize:
① Establishment of a Passport Civil Service Center at Gimhae International Airport and 365-day issuance of emergency passports at the airport (Integrated Civil Affairs Division, Team Leader Shim Young-ok and Officer Park Hyun-mi)
② First in Korea to provide highway toll support for all vehicle types at the Garak Tollgate (Road Planning Division, Officer Ko Jeong-gil)
③ First in Korea to implement a pilot project installing safety signal lights on elevator doors (Architecture Policy Division, Officer Shin Hyun-gwan)

Five cases involving nine officials received the Excellence Award:
① First among metropolitan and special cities to establish a master plan for the redevelopment of aging planned cities and designate leading districts (Urban Space Vitality Division, Officers Yoon Hye-ryeong and Choi Jeong-sun)
② Re-promotion of exemption from the restoration obligation for Suyeong Pier (Construction Headquarters, Officers Park Seong-han and Kim Hee-seon; North Port Redevelopment Promotion Division, Officer Lee Sun-young)
③ Establishment of management measures for areas surrounding the United Nations Memorial Cemetery (UN기념공원) and lifting of the scenic district designation (Urban Space Strategy Division, Officer Kim Hyun-su)
④ Securing national funding to replace an aging government vessel with an eco-friendly environmental cleanup ship (Waterworks Headquarters, Officer Yoon Yong-chun)
⑤ Establishment of intelligent electronic maps for five locations within the traditional market Bujeon Market Town (119 Comprehensive Situation Room, Fire Captain Shim Jae-min and Fire Lieutenant Baek Sang-min)

Two cases involving four officials received the Encouragement Award:
① Innovation of a public institution (Busan Urban Corporation (부산도시공사)) proven through numbers (Tax Policy Officer Lee Eun-ju)
② Full-scale promotion of the reconstruction of Sajik Baseball Stadium to create a premier baseball venue (Sports Policy Division, Team Leader Lee Seong-hoon and Officers Kim Yong-ho and Shin Dong-min)

One official received the Challenge Award:
Seventh Bridge Road initiative to designate a national tourist road (Road Planning Division, Officer Park Kyung-min)

All award recipients will receive a mayoral commendation and prize money, along with additional points for policy training. In particular, exceptional personnel incentives reflecting individual preferences—such as special promotions, the highest performance bonus rating, and additional performance points—will also be granted. The City plans to widely share and promote the selected best practices to further expand a culture of proactive administration across the public sector.

Yoon Jeong-no, Director of Planning for Busan Metropolitan City, stated, “The City will continue to select outstanding proactive public officials and actively encourage a culture of creativity and challenge within the public service.” He added, “By establishing proactive administration as a core value in municipal governance, we will create meaningful changes that citizens can truly feel.”

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• 1.First Among Local Airports, No More Worries About Missing Flights—Citizen Convenience Up
  Establishment of a Passport Civil Service Center at Gimhae International Airport and 365-Day Issuance of Emergency Passports at the Airport

Overview
For the first time among local airports, emergency passports can now be issued immediately at Gimhae International Airport, ensuring worry-free departures 365 days a year.

• ●Opening of the Gimhae International Airport Passport Civil Service Center on March 3, 2026, providing a regionally self-contained emergency passport issuance service

• ●Innovation in passport civil services by resolving passport issues instantly at the airport year-round, reducing time, cost, and stress

• ●Enhancement of Busan’s status and strengthening of tourism and business competitiveness through citizen-centered customized services

Efforts

• ●Secured national funding for the establishment of the passport civil service center through continuous visits and persuasion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local National Assembly members

• ●Rapid increase in demand for emergency passports, with annual international passengers at Gimhae exceeding 10 million and approximately 2,600 emergency passports issued

• ●Reintroduction of the budget proposal after initial exclusion at the standing committee stage through direct visits to the Ministry and National Assembly members

• ●Despite opposition from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, successfully persuaded officials of the project’s necessity for Busan citizens

• ●Final budget approval achieved through persistent efforts and direct engagement with members of the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Committee

Performance

• ●Secured KRW 306 million in national funding for a fully integrated passport service at Gimhae International Airport

• ●First among seven local airports to provide such services, previously concentrated only at Incheon International Airport

• ●Significant increase in citizen convenience through airport-based passport services

• ●Reduced service gaps between airports, enhancing satisfaction among Gimhae Airport users

• ●Immediate issuance of emergency passports at the airport, reduced time and costs, and support for stable departures

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• 2.Realizing Transportation Welfare for Citizens and Businesses Through Fiscal Savings
  First in Korea to Provide Highway Toll Support for All Vehicle Types at the Garak Tollgate

Overview
Fiscal savings of KRW 2.1 billion annually reinvested into welfare policy, promoting public benefit and economic vitality.

• ●Reduced municipal road management costs by KRW 2.1 billion annually through persuasion and cooperation with related agencies, including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Korea Expressway Corporation

• ●Used saved budget to implement toll support during commuting hours at the Garak Tollgate

• ●Combined Busan’s toll support with existing toll discounts provided by Korea Expressway Corporation

• ●Free highway tolls for all vehicle types during commuting hours (06:00–09:00 / 17:00–20:00)

Efforts

• ●Longstanding pledge since 1995 to eliminate tolls at Garak Tollgate

• ●Continuous petitions and a signature campaign by citizens and civic groups since 2008

• ●Legislative amendment proposals introduced in the 21st and 22nd National Assembly and continuous petitions to the Ministry

Performance

• ●First nationwide support for all vehicle types, including corporate and leased vehicles

• ●Benefits extended to Busan citizens, 13 industrial complexes, 3,184 companies, and 58,632 employees

• ●Resolution of a 30-year-long issue first raised in 1995

• ●Annual support for approximately 4.44 million vehicles, averaging 18,000 vehicles per day

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• 3.Introducing Korea’s First Elevator Safety Signal Light—“Red Light When Doors Are Closing, Stop”
  Pilot Project for Elevator Door Safety Signal Lights

Overview

• ●Introduction of visual (green, yellow, red LED) and audio guidance systems on elevator doors

• ●Prevention of user negligence-related accidents, which account for 47% nationwide and 58% in Busan

• ●Installation first in pedestrian overpass elevators at public facilities, with plans to expand to private buildings

Efforts

• ●Collaboration between local elevator manufacturers and the Korea Elevator Safety Agency for technology development

• ●Memorandum of understanding signed in September 2025 for budget and administrative support

• ●Completion of pilot installation and verification in October 2025

• ●Launch of a public contest project for overpass elevators in December 2025

Performance

• ●Official pilot implementation at 33 locations with a total budget of KRW 20 million

• ●Survey results confirmed improved safety perception and accident prevention potential

• ●Faster recognition of door status through combined color and audio guidance

• ●Establishment of a cooperative platform involving SMEs and public institutions

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• 4.Creating the Formula for a Busan-Style Future City Through Aging Planned City Redevelopment
  First Among Metropolitan and Special Cities to Establish a Master Plan and Designate Leading Districts

Overview

• ●Established national standards for aging planned city redevelopment

• ●Launched the nation’s first dedicated YouTube channel and produced FAQ videos and booklets

• ●Received the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Award

• ●Proposed a Busan-style future city redevelopment model

Efforts

• ●Operated diverse resident communication channels, both online and offline

• ●Established close cooperation with the central government and operated a Future City Support Center

• ●Redesigned urban space including transportation systems, green networks, and living infrastructure

Performance

• ●Strengthened administrative credibility and shared best practices nationwide

• ●Completed the “2035 Aging Planned City Redevelopment Master Plan” and designated leading districts on schedule

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• 5.“Sound Judgment Creates Greater Results Than Action”
  Re-promotion of Exemption from Restoration Obligation for Suyeong Pier

Overview

• ●Re-promotion of exemption from restoration obligation after prior denial

• ●Determined restoration would cause budget waste and administrative distrust

Efforts

• ●Prepared a 102-page exemption application without external consultancy

• ●Successfully persuaded four expert institutions to change their position to support exemption

Performance

• ●Avoided unnecessary construction and related complaints

• ●Secured potential public asset acquisition valued at approximately KRW 4.2 billion

• ●Estimated savings of KRW 10.35 billion compared to restoration

• ●Proposed redevelopment direction linking the site with Dongbaek Park

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• 6.Breaking 50-Year-Old Regulations—Creating a New Busan with a Global Heritage Site and Its Citizens
  Establishment of Management Measures for Areas Surrounding the United Nations Memorial Cemetery (UN기념공원) and Lifting of Scenic District Designation

Overview

• ●Led city-level efforts to establish management measures and lift long-standing scenic district regulations

Efforts

• ●Developed management measures satisfying both residents and the international management committee

• ●Actively persuaded stakeholders despite concerns about preserving the cemetery’s dignity

Performance

• ●Secured conditional consent from the international management committee

• ●Balanced heritage preservation with residential environment improvements

• ●Laid groundwork for lifting long-term development restrictions and promoting balanced regional growth

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• 7.Detecting and Collecting Submerged Marine Debris to Achieve Zero Marine Microplastics
  Securing National Funding to Replace an Aging Government Vessel with an Eco-Friendly Cleanup Ship

Overview

• ●Secured KRW 3.75 billion in national funding

• ●Designed a strategic two-track R&D and demonstration approach

Efforts

• ●Gained policy and technical credibility through collaboration with research institutions

• ●Conducted three years of continuous consultation with the central government

Performance

• ●Established a basis for national subsidies for local government vessels

• ●Contributed to reduction of marine microplastics

• ●Improved working conditions for crew members

• ●Enhanced citizen trust and marine ecosystem circulation

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• 8.Eliminating Disaster Safety Blind Spots to Protect Lives and Property
  Establishment of Intelligent Electronic Maps for Five Locations in Bujeon Market Town

Overview

• ●Built precise disaster location data to secure the “golden time” for emergency response

Efforts

• ●Signed multilateral agreements and conducted on-site data collection

• ●Registered 1,425 store data points into the fire GIS system

Performance

• ●Reduced dispatch and response times

• ●Utilized AI-based call analysis for accurate disaster location recommendations

• ●Strengthened early fire response through optimized routing guidance

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• 9.Strengthening Financial Structure and Resolving Long-Standing Issues
  Innovation of Busan Urban Corporation (부산도시공사) Proven Through Numbers

Overview

• ●Implemented four major innovation tasks: dividend restructuring, organizational and budget integration, external funding of retirement allowances, and strengthened tax response capacity

Efforts

• ●Demonstrated data-driven financial soundness improvements

• ●Directly handled tax appeals in coordination with relevant authorities

Performance

• ●Secured KRW 33.4 billion in dividend revenue in 2025 with a 40% payout ratio

• ●Saved KRW 240 million in interest through lump-sum payment of unpaid amounts

• ●Reduced corporate tax by KRW 5.2 billion and local tax by KRW 9.4 billion

• ●Saved KRW 220 million in personnel expenses through workforce reallocation

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• 10.“After 40 Years of Waiting, the Heart of Busan Baseball Beats Again”
  Full-Scale Promotion of the Reconstruction of Sajik Baseball Stadium

Overview

• ●Restoration of Busan’s symbolic status as a baseball city

• ●Urgent need to improve safety and spectator conditions at the aging stadium built in 1985

Efforts

• ●Redesigned financing structure and secured a record KRW 29.9 billion in national funding, the largest ever for a baseball stadium project

• ●Passed central investment review in advance and resolved project delays

Performance

• ●Completed three core tasks: central investment review approval, national funding secured, and investment agreement signed with Lotte

• ●Shortened project duration by over one year and saved at least KRW 6.7 billion

• ●Secured total funding of KRW 111.6 billion plus additional stable resources

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• 11.(Challenge)
  Laying the Groundwork for an Era of 5 Million Tourists Visiting Busan
  Seven Bridges Road Initiative to Designate a National Tourist Road

Overview

• ●Proactive effort to transform Busan’s distinctive coastal and riverside roads into tourism assets

• ●“Seven Bridges Road (Songdo–Busan Harbor Bridge–Gwangan Bridge–Busan Cinema Center)” selected as one of 10 final on-site evaluation candidates for the 2025 National Tourist Road designation

Efforts

• ●Overcame short preparation period by swiftly establishing a tourism road management plan

• ●Selected two differentiated routes reflecting marine, bridge, and urban landscape characteristics

Performance

• ●Achieved visible results by being selected for final on-site evaluation

• ●Established a foundation for promoting Busan-style tourism roads

• ●Confirmed the potential to transform roads from simple transportation facilities into tourism resources