Busan mayor-elect's transition committee proposes 93 pledges to become maritime capital

Busan's Mayor-elect Jeon Jae-soo's transition committee has unveiled a comprehensive blueprint for the city's next four years, centered on transforming Busan into a leading maritime capital. The committee proposed 93 pledges designed to drive the city's development under the vision of 'Busan, a Maritime Capital at the Center of Future Transformation' and the slogan 'Busan, Running Again to the World, to Tomorrow.'

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Busan, a Maritime Capital at the Center of Future Transformation

The execution of these pledges hinges critically on securing substantial private investment and national funding. The estimated budget for these initiatives is approximately 39 trillion won, with a significant 61% of this amount expected to come from private sources. The committee highlighted the importance of attracting 9 trillion won in national funds and 24.9 trillion won in private investment to realize the proposed agenda.

Immediate priorities include a 100-day 'emergency measure for people's livelihood,' which encompasses low-interest loans for struggling small business owners, support for small-scale truck drivers and delivery workers, and measures to ease the burden of transaction fees for the local currency, 'Dongbaekjeon.' For youth, a 'first career guarantee system' is planned, involving the city dispatching 1,000 individuals to public and private institutions, with the city covering living wages for the first year.

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Busan, Running Again to the World, to Tomorrow

Other core pledges focus on establishing Busan as a global hub, fostering an innovative economy, promoting balanced urban growth, and ensuring citizen well-being. These include relocating maritime public institutions and HMM (formerly Hyundai Merchant Marine) to Busan, establishing a Southeast Investment Corporation, and creating an AI ecosystem in defense, port, and cultural sectors. The committee also plans to address infrastructure needs, such as the undergrounding of the Gyeongbu Line railway section and developing the Dadaepo tourist and marine complex.

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The committee will remain as an advisory body until the end of the 9th term of the popular vote. We will conduct a mid-term performance review of the implementation of the 100-day emergency measures for people's livelihood and the vision of Busan as a maritime capital around the 100th day after the launch of the 9th term.