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Busan Metropolitan City Selects 33 Distinguished Local Companies to Lead the Regional Economy in 2026

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Busan Metropolitan City (Acting Mayor Kim Kyung-duk) and the Busan Economic Promotion Agency (President Song Bok-cheol) announced today (June 1) that they have finalized the selection of 33 representative Busan companies that have grown together with the local community over many years and contributed to regional economic development through job creation, talent cultivation, and social contribution activities as the 2026 Busan Metropolitan City Distinguished Local Companies.

The Busan Metropolitan City Distinguished Local Company designation is awarded to companies headquartered in Busan that have operated for at least 20 years, employ 100 or more full-time workers, and have achieved average annual sales of at least KRW 20 billion over the past three years, while making meaningful contributions to regional economic revitalization.

Among this year’s selected companies, 23 are newly certified and 10 are recertified. With this latest selection, the total number of Busan Metropolitan City Distinguished Local Companies has increased to 87.

This year’s selection is particularly significant because it is the first since the ordinance amendment that changed the designation from “Local Company” to “Busan Metropolitan City Distinguished Local Company” and relaxed the business history requirement from 30 years to 20 years.

Through these institutional improvements, the city intends to expand opportunities for participation by representative regional companies and further enhance the recognition and brand value of businesses that have played a leading role in Busan’s economic development.

Following the public recruitment process launched in April, the city comprehensively evaluated applicant companies based on business history, economic contributions, and social contributions. Final selections were determined through expert reviews and deliberations by the Corporate Grievance Resolution Committee.

Another notable feature this year is the increased participation and selection of newly certified companies.

Of the 33 selected companies, 23 are newly certified, representing a 4.6-fold increase compared with the number of newly certified companies selected in the previous year.

This increase is attributed to heightened awareness and interest among companies in the certification program following the expansion of support benefits for Distinguished Local Companies during the second half of last year, which in turn led to the discovery of new representative regional enterprises.

The range of industries represented has also expanded beyond traditional manufacturing to include electrical and electronics, shipbuilding, automotive parts, footwear, food processing, fisheries, aviation, finance, and healthcare. This demonstrates that the Busan Metropolitan City Distinguished Local Company certification is becoming a representative designation encompassing Busan’s industrial sector as a whole.

Selected companies will receive a Busan Metropolitan City Distinguished Local Company certification plaque and certificate. In accordance with the Ordinance on the Fostering and Support of Busan Metropolitan City Distinguished Local Companies, they will also be provided with a variety of benefits.

In early July, the city plans to hold a certificate presentation ceremony and a roundtable meeting aimed at strengthening the policy support framework for Distinguished Local Companies, creating opportunities for exchange and cooperation among the selected companies.

Additional benefits provided to Busan Metropolitan City Distinguished Local Companies include policy financing support, deferment of tax inspection authority exercised by local tax officials, promotional support to enhance global recognition, and preferential rates for Busan City Gas services.

Furthermore, as part of preferential programs for employees who have contributed to corporate growth, the city will provide benefits related to culture, tourism, and leisure activities through facilities such as Busan Cultural Center, Busan Citizens Hall, Busan Cinema Center, municipal sports facilities, Dongbaek Store, the private culture and tourism platform HolicJam, and affiliated venues including Ten Percent Coffee.

Kim Bong-cheol, Assistant Mayor of Digital Economy Office, stated, “Busan Metropolitan City Distinguished Local Companies are valuable future assets that represent both the foundation of Busan’s economy and the pride of its citizens. We will continue to provide every possible support so that Busan’s representative companies can grow into globally renowned enterprises and so that their employees can take pride in being part of their organizations.”