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Asia’s Top Young Science Talents Gather in One Place… Korea’s First Asian Physics Olympiad to Be Held in Busan

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Acting Mayor Kim Kyung-duk, announced that the 2026 Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO 2026), involving gifted science students from across Asia, will be held in Busan through May 25.

The Asian Physics Olympiad is an international science competition held annually to discover future scientific talents and promote academic exchange among countries. This year’s event marks the first time the competition is being hosted in Korea.

The competition will take place over approximately nine days, from arrival to examinations and the awards ceremony, allowing participants to experience both academic competition and cultural exchange through an international event program.

The Korean Physical Society is hosting the event, while the APhO 2026 Organizing Committee is overseeing operations. Busan Metropolitan City, the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity are supporting and cooperating in the event.

This year’s competition will bring together hundreds of students and delegation members from 27 Asian countries, gathering some of the region’s brightest young scientific minds in one place.

Participating students will undergo comprehensive evaluations of their physics reasoning and problem-solving abilities through highly advanced theoretical and experimental examinations.

In addition, various exchange programs will provide opportunities for participants to share research experiences and learning methods while building global networks.

During the competition period, participants will also take part in various programs exploring Busan’s major tourist attractions and scientific facilities.

Programs will include tours of Busan’s key landmarks, visits to marine and science facilities, and traditional cultural experiences, allowing participants to experience both Korean culture and scientific technology.

Busan Metropolitan City and related organizations are making every effort to ensure the successful operation of the international-level event.

To facilitate smooth participation for delegations from each country, the city plans to establish operational support systems covering accommodation, transportation, and interpretation services, while also strengthening emergency response systems including safety management and medical support.

In addition, based on close cooperation among related organizations, the city will continuously inspect all aspects of the event to ensure a stable and high-quality international competition.

Meanwhile, the opening ceremony will be held today (May 18) at 10:30 a.m. in the university theater at Pukyong National University’s Daeyeon Campus.

Approximately 450 attendees are expected at the ceremony, including Acting Mayor Kim Kyung-duk of Busan Metropolitan City; First Vice Minister Koo Hyuk-chae of the Ministry of Science and ICT; Chung Woo-sung, President of the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity; Park Won-yong, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Pukyong National University; Hendra Kwee, President of the International Board of the Asian Physics Olympiad; Yoon Jin-hee, President of the Korean Physical Society; and delegations from participating countries.

Busan Metropolitan City expects this competition to further strengthen Busan’s status as a global science and culture city.

Building on the city’s ongoing efforts to expand science culture and establish research and industrial infrastructure, the event is expected to serve as an opportunity for Busan to advance as a global science city where future scientific talents from across Asia can grow and exchange ideas together.

In particular, by allowing participants to experience Busan’s scientific facilities as well as its cultural and tourism resources, the event is expected to enhance the city’s brand value while also generating positive effects for the local economy, including the tourism and service industries.

Acting Mayor Kim Kyung-duk of Busan Metropolitan City stated, “The Asian Physics Olympiad is a meaningful international event where outstanding talents from across Asia who will lead future science and technology compete and exchange ideas,” adding, “We hope participating students will fully demonstrate their creativity and physics reasoning abilities and use this opportunity to grow into global scientific talents through academic exchange among nations.”