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Businesses Driving Busan’s Economy Recognized at the 2026 Busan Metropolitan City Distinguished Local Heritage Company Certification Ceremony and Roundtable

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Chun Jae-soo, and the Busan Economic Promotion Agency announced that they will hold a certification ceremony today (July 16) at 2:30 p.m. at ASTI Hotel Busan to recognize 33 Busan-based companies as the “2026 Busan Metropolitan City Distinguished Local Heritage Companies.”

The Distinguished Local Heritage Company Certification Program has been in place since 2006. It recognizes companies headquartered in Busan that have been in operation for at least 20 years, employ at least 100 full-time workers, and have recorded average annual sales of at least KRW 20 billion over the past three years. Companies are comprehensively evaluated based on their contributions to the regional economy, employment stability, working conditions, and social responsibility.

Approximately 100 participants, including Mayor Chun Jae-soo, company representatives and employees, representatives of partner organizations supporting preferential benefits, and Youth Promotion Supporters, will attend the event.

Busan Metropolitan City will present the 33 selected companies with Distinguished Local Heritage Company plaques and certificates and celebrate their contributions to the development of the regional economy.

The roundtable session that follows will include welcome remarks from previously certified companies and partner organizations supporting preferential benefits, presentations on the success factors of newly certified companies, and policy suggestions from company representatives and young employees.

This year’s recipients consist of 23 newly certified companies and 10 recertified companies. In particular, the number of newly certified companies increased significantly from five last year, reflecting growing corporate interest in the certification program and greater public awareness following the expansion of support for Distinguished Local Heritage Companies.

The industries represented by the selected companies have also diversified beyond traditional manufacturing to include electrical and electronics, shipbuilding, automotive parts, footwear, food processing, fisheries, aviation, finance, and healthcare, establishing the certification as a representative recognition program encompassing Busan’s industrial landscape.

Selected companies will receive a wide range of benefits, including certification plaques and certificates, preferential access to policy financing, a grace period on tax officials’ authority to conduct questioning and inspections, promotional support through Youth Promotion Supporters, and preferential city gas rates.

In addition, employees will receive cultural, tourism, and leisure benefits at Busan Cultural Center, Busan Citizens Hall, Busan Cinema Center, municipal sports facilities, affiliated venues on the private cultural and tourism platform HolicJam, and Ten Percent Coffee.

Through its “100-Day Livelihood Partnership Roundtable” initiative, Busan Metropolitan City has been directly visiting businesses and small business owners to identify challenges and develop practical solutions through field-oriented communication. This roundtable marks the third session of the initiative and is intended to strengthen networking among Distinguished Local Heritage Companies while gathering opinions on securing young talent, improving workplace environments, and enhancing settlement conditions in Busan. The city plans to incorporate these views into future business support policies.

During the certification ceremony, Busan Metropolitan City will also sign a memorandum of understanding with the Management Certification Evaluation Institute, headed by Shin Sol-pureum, to provide preferential access to ISO certification audits and employee training for Distinguished Local Heritage Companies.

The agreement was proposed by the Management Certification Evaluation Institute to support companies seeking ISO certification by partially subsidizing certification audit and professional training costs. It is intended to advance corporate management systems and expand a culture of preferential support for leading regional companies through public-private cooperation.

Following similar agreements concluded last year with HolicJam and Ten Percent Coffee, this agreement marks the third voluntary partnership with a private company to support Distinguished Local Heritage Companies. It is expected to further promote the value and role of companies that have contributed to regional economic development.

Mayor Chun Jae-soo is expected to say, “Busan Metropolitan City Distinguished Local Heritage Companies are a source of pride and competitiveness for Busan, having grown together with our citizens over many years. We will continue to enhance the standing of these distinguished companies, strengthen our network with local businesses, and make Busan a city where businesses can thrive and where young people want to build their future.”