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Busan Metropolitan City Meets with Finnish Ambassador to Korea to Discuss Expanding Cooperation in Smart Cities and Arctic Shipping Routes

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Busan Metropolitan City announced that on the morning of the 26th at 9:00 a.m., it met with Jyri Järviaho, Ambassador of Finland to Korea, at the City Hall International Protocol Room to discuss ways to expand cooperation between Busan and Finland.

The meeting was attended by Kim Kyung-duk, Administrative Vice Mayor of Busan; Ambassador Jyri Järviaho; Antti Niemelä, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Finland in Korea; and Oh Se-jung, Honorary Consul of Finland in Busan.

The Ambassador’s visit to Busan was made in conjunction with his attendance at the opening ceremony of “2026 Drone Show Korea.” In addition to participating in the opening ceremony and an open seminar, he also toured major industrial sites in Busan.

Administrative Vice Mayor Kim Kyung-duk stated, “Finland has established itself as a leading global smart city nation based on innovation and technological competitiveness,” adding that Busan is also actively pursuing digital innovation and eco-friendly policies.

In particular, he explained that Eco Delta City in Gangseo District, Busan, is being developed as the nation’s first pilot smart city, embodying a future urban model where sustainable residential areas, advanced industries, and the environment coexist.

He also noted that the Kalasatama Smart City Project in Helsinki shares similar goals with Busan’s Eco Delta City, expressing expectations for concrete and practical exchanges between the two smart cities.

Ambassador Jyri Järviaho expressed strong interest in Busan’s smart city policies and advanced industry development strategies, stating, “Finland is also promoting urban development centered on innovative technologies and sustainability, and we hope to expand cooperation in various fields.”

The two sides also exchanged views on the need to expand exchanges related to the establishment of a direct air route between Busan and Helsinki.

Vice Mayor Kim expressed regret that the launch of a direct route had been delayed due to COVID-19 and international circumstances, noting that once established, such a route would significantly enhance exchanges in tourism, economic, and cultural sectors.

In light of the challenging environment for European routes amid the current international situation, both sides agreed to explore cooperation measures for establishing a direct route from a mid- to long-term perspective.

Vice Mayor Kim also explained that the strategic importance of Arctic shipping routes has recently increased due to climate change and shifts in the global logistics environment, adding that Busan is proactively responding to the activation of Arctic routes.

He emphasized that Finland possesses advanced technology in maritime and shipbuilding sectors, particularly in icebreaker technology, underscoring the importance of cooperation in shipbuilding and maritime industries.

In response, Ambassador Jyri Järviaho noted that within Finland there are cautious views regarding Arctic shipping routes due to unstable international conditions and the impacts of climate change, but agreed that preparations from a long-term perspective are necessary.

In closing, Vice Mayor Kim stated, “Busan is advancing as a global hub city centered on smart cities, digital innovation, maritime and logistics industries, and eco-friendly energy industries,” adding, “We hope to expand cooperation with Finland in various fields, including smart cities, artificial intelligence, maritime technology, tourism, and culture,” thereby concluding the meeting.