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National Natural Heritage Center Passes Preliminary Feasibility Study! Busan Takes a Major Step Toward Becoming a Hub for Natural Heritage Policy

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Busan Metropolitan City’s Busan Nakdong River Project Management Office announced that the National Natural Heritage Center construction project, promoted by the Korea Heritage Service, passed the preliminary feasibility study on July 7 following deliberation by the Fiscal Project Evaluation Committee of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

The National Natural Heritage Center will be Korea’s only national institution dedicated to the investigation, research, conservation, and exhibition of the nation’s natural heritage, including Natural Monuments and Scenic Sites, serving as a key hub for the country’s natural heritage policy.

The center will be located in the Eulsukdo area of the Nakdong River Estuary and will include specialized facilities such as collection storage, exhibition halls, and research buildings.

The project will require a total investment of KRW 119.3 billion and will be constructed with a total floor area of 22,969 square meters.

The successful completion of the preliminary feasibility study marks the culmination of Busan Metropolitan City’s sustained efforts since 2016 to attract the National Natural Heritage Center.

Busan Metropolitan City has consistently emphasized to the Korea Heritage Service and the central government that Eulsukdo, home to Korea’s largest migratory bird habitat and an outstanding natural ecosystem, is the optimal location for the National Natural Heritage Center.

Throughout the preliminary feasibility study process, the city also maintained close cooperation with the Korea Heritage Service, actively presenting the project’s necessity, policy benefits, and contribution to balanced regional development while concentrating its administrative capabilities on securing approval.

The National Natural Heritage Center is expected not only to strengthen the systematic conservation and research of the nation’s natural heritage but also to become a new growth engine as an ecological and cultural hub linked to the exceptional natural environment of the Nakdong River Estuary.

In particular, by integrating with existing public facilities in Eulsukdo—including the Nakdong Estuary Eco Center, the Busan Museum of Contemporary Art, and the National Youth Eco Center—the project is expected to establish Korea’s leading natural heritage cluster, combining conservation, education, research, and exhibition functions.

The center is also expected to make a significant contribution to revitalizing ecotourism and generating positive ripple effects for the local economy by attracting visitors from Korea and abroad.

Following the completion of the preliminary feasibility study, the Korea Heritage Service will proceed with subsequent administrative procedures, including the formulation of the master plan and detailed design, before launching the project in earnest. Busan Metropolitan City will actively support the project to ensure its smooth implementation.

Mayor Chun Jae-soo stated, “The successful completion of the preliminary feasibility study for the National Natural Heritage Center marks a turning point for Busan as it advances into the nation’s leading city for natural heritage policy.”

He added, “The combination of the ecological value of the Nakdong River Estuary at Eulsukdo, one of the world’s premier migratory bird habitats, and the specialized functions of the National Natural Heritage Center will present a new model for the conservation and utilization of natural heritage.”

The mayor further stated, “We will work closely with the Korea Heritage Service to ensure the successful implementation of the project so that the National Natural Heritage Center becomes Korea’s premier institution for natural heritage research, exhibition, and education, as well as a world-class destination enjoyed by both residents and visitors.”