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The World’s Oceans Converge in Busan! “2026 OCEAN WEEK” to Bring Together Experts from Five Countries

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it has designated June 8–10 as “2026 OCEAN WEEK” and will host a variety of events at BEXCO and other venues.

Now in its fourth year, “2026 OCEAN WEEK” was established to bring together Busan Metropolitan City, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, public enterprises in the maritime sector, research institutes, associations, and businesses to discuss strategies for maritime industry development and strengthen the Republic of Korea’s global maritime competitiveness.

The event is jointly organized by Busan Metropolitan City and Kukje Shinmun and will feature the Opening Ceremony and Heads of Institutions Talk Concert, Maritime Economy Forum, Maritime Industry Leaders Summit, and Online Ocean Conference.

At 10:00 a.m. on June 8, the Opening Ceremony and Heads of Institutions Talk Concert will be held.

The Opening Ceremony will be attended by the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, the Superintendent of Education of Busan Metropolitan City, the Chair of the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and other distinguished guests to mark the opening of “2026 OCEAN WEEK.”

The subsequent Heads of Institutions Talk Concert will focus on the theme “Relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and Busan as the Maritime Capital,” bringing together representatives from maritime education and research institutions and related businesses to share perspectives on the future vision of the maritime industry.

Following the Opening Ceremony, the Maritime Economy Forum will be held from 1:30 p.m. on June 8 through June 9 to explore the future direction of the global maritime industry.

Maritime experts from Korea, China, Japan, and Russia will gather to discuss the rights of non-coastal states regarding Arctic shipping routes, a key global issue.

Environmental and carbon experts from Korea, China, and India will also engage in discussions on the potential of blue carbon and ways to incorporate it into carbon markets.

At 10:00 a.m. on June 10, the Maritime Industry Leaders Summit will be held to promote cooperation among government, industry, academia, and research organizations and strengthen leadership in the maritime sector.

The summit will feature a special lecture on the theme “150 Years Since the Opening of Busan Port—Busan Port Expanding to the World.”

In addition, the Korea Maritime Leadership Awards ceremony will recognize institutions and individuals who have contributed to the development of Busan’s maritime industry.

This year’s award recipients include one organization and six individuals: the Polar and Ocean Future Forum, Lee Jong-gap, President of Dongseo Console Co., Ltd.; Professor Kang Min-gyun (Captain of HANARA); Professor Lim Jeong-hoon (Chief Engineer of HANARA); Professor Ahn Young-jung (Captain of HANBADA); Professor Lee Doo-hyung (Chief Engineer of HANBADA); and Kim Min-soo, Director at the Korea Maritime Institute.

At 2:00 p.m. on June 10, an Online Ocean Conference on industrial development related to Arctic shipping routes and a Polar Citizen Lecture for the public will be held.

The conference will address topics such as strategies for developing industries associated with Arctic shipping routes and the future direction of polar education in response to the Arctic shipping era.

In particular, the Online Ocean Conference will be conducted through the web platform at http://oceanweek.co.kr using an interactive communication format, allowing any citizen to participate.

In conjunction with “2026 OCEAN WEEK,” various related events will also be organized to encourage citizens to reflect on the significance of the ocean and experience it firsthand.

Beginning with the National Literary Contest Commemorating Ocean Day and the Marine Environment Campaign (GAA) held in late May, a series of events including marine healing programs and the 19th Busan Port Festival will showcase the unique appeal of Busan as a maritime city.

Cho Young-tae, Director General of the Marine and Fisheries Bureau of Busan Metropolitan City, stated, “The ocean is a future growth space where advanced industries converge, and Busan Metropolitan City is transforming its industrial structure into a future-oriented model by linking diverse industries with the maritime sector. Through ‘2026 OCEAN WEEK,’ we will continue making every effort, together with maritime institutions, businesses, and universities, to advance Busan as a Global Maritime Hub City.”