Busan

For other uses, see Busan (disambiguation).

Busan 부산시
Metropolitan City
Busan Metropolitan City
transcription(s)
• Hangul	부산광역시
• Hanja	釜山廣域市
• Revised Romanization	Busan Gwangyeoksi
• McCune-Reischauer	Pusan Kwangyŏksi
Montage of Busan, Top:A panoramic night view of Gwangan Bridge, from Mount Hwangnyeong, Middle left:Haeundae Beach and Anam Heights, Middle right:Jagalchi Fish Market in Jung-gu, Bottom left:Yonggungsa Temple in Gijang, Bottom right:Haeundae Marine Resort City
Flag of Busan Flag Emblem of Busan
Map of South Korea with Busan highlighted
Coordinates: 35°10′N 129°04′E
Country	South Korea
Region	Yeongnam
Districts	15
Government
• Type	Mayor-Council
• Mayor	Suh Byung-soo (Saenuri)
• Council	Busan Metropolitan Council
• National Representation  - National Assembly	18 / 299 6.0% (total seats) 18 / 245 7.3% (constituency seats) List Park Minshik (Saenuri) Buk-guGangseo-gu Gap district Huh Tae Yeol (Saenuri) Buk-guGangseo-gu Eul district Hur Won Je (Saenuri) Busanjin-gu Gap district Lee Jong Heuk (Saenuri) Busanjin-gu Eul district Lee Jin Bok (Saenuri) Dongnae-gu district Kim Se Yeon (Saenuri) Geumjeong-gu district Suh Byung Soo (Saenuri) Haeundae-guGijang-gun Gap district An Kyung Ryul (Saenuri) Haeundae-guGijang-gun Eul district Chung Ui-Hwa (Saenuri) Jung-guDong-gu district Kim Jung Hoon (Saenuri) Nam-gu Gap district Kim Moo Sung (Saenuri) Nam-gu Eul district Hyun Ki Hwan (Saenuri) Saha-gu Gap district Cho Kyoung Tae (Democratic United) Saha-gu Eul district Chang Je Won (Saenuri) Sasang-gu district Yoo Kijune (Saenuri) Seo-gu district Yoo Jae Jung (Saenuri) Suyeong-gu district Kim Hyong-O (Saenuri) Yeongdo-gu district Park Dae Hae (Saenuri) Yeonje-gu district
Area
• Metropolitan City	767.35 km2 (296.28 sq mi)
Population  (2014.10.31)
• Metropolitan City	3,525,913
• Density	4,600/km2 (12,000/sq mi)
• Metro	8,202,239
• Dialect	Gyeongsang
Postal code	600-010, 619-963
Area code	(+82) 051
ISO 3166 code	KR-26
Flower	Camellia flower
Tree	Camellia
Bird	Seagull
GDP	USD $296.5 billion
GDP per capita	USD $38,602
Website	busan.go.kr

Busan (Korean pronunciation: [pu.san]), formerly known as Pusan and now officially Busan Metropolitan City, is South Korea's second most-populous city after Seoul. It is the economic, cultural, and educational center of southeastern Korea, with its port—Korea's busiest and the 10th-busiest in the world—only about 120 miles (190 km) from the Japanese islands of Honshu and Kyushu. Its surrounding "Southeast Economic Zone" (including Ulsan and South Gyeongsang) is now South Korea's largest industrial area.

Busan is divided into 15 major administrative districts and a single county, together housing a population of approximately 3.6 million. The full metropolitan area, including the adjacent cities of Gimhae and Yangsan, has a population of approximately 4.6 million. The most densely built-up areas of the city are situated in a number of narrow valleys between the Nakdong and the Suyeong Rivers, with mountains separating most of the districts. The Nakdong is Korea's longest river and Busan's Haeundae Beach is also the country's largest.

Busan is a center for international conventions, hosting APEC in 2005. It is also a center for sports tournaments in Korea, having hosted the 2002 Asian Games and FIFA World Cup. It is home to the world's largest department store, the Shinsegae Centum City.

Names

The name "Busan" is the Revised Romanization of the city's Korean name since the late 15th century. It officially replaced the earlier McCune-Reischauer romanization Pusan in 2000. The name 釜山 (now written 부산 using the hangul syllabary) is Sino-Korean for "Cauldron Mountain", believed to be a former name of Mt Hwangryeong (황령산, 荒嶺山, Hwangryeong-san) west of the city center. The area's ancient state Mt Geochil (거칠산국, 居柒山國, Geochilsan-guk, "Rough-Mountain Land") is similarly thought to refer to the same mountain, which towers over the town's harbor on the Suyeong. (The later Silla district of Geochilsan-gun was renamed Dongnae in 757.)

History

Gwangan Bridge

Busan at night

Busan harbour painted in 1899

Mt Geochil (Geochilsan-guk) is recorded as a chiefdom of the Jinhan Confederacy in the 2nd–4th centuries. It was absorbed by Silla and organized as a district (gun). The grave goods excavated from mounded burials at Bokcheon-dong indicate that a complex chiefdom ruled by powerful individuals was present in the Busan area in the 4th century, just as Korea's Three Kingdoms were forming. The mounded burials of Bokcheon-dong were built along the top of a ridge that overlooks a wide area that makes up parts of modern-day Dongnae-gu and Yeonje-gu. Archaeologists excavated more than 250 iron weapons and ingots from Burial No. 38, a wooden chamber tomb at Bokcheon-dong.

From the beginning of the 15th century, the Korean government designated Busan as a trading port with the Japanese and allowed their settlement. Other Japanese settlements in Ulsan and Jinhae diminished later, but the Busan settlement continued until Japan invaded Korea in 1592. After the war, diplomatic relations with the new shogunate in Japan were established in 1607, and Busan was permitted to be reconstructed. The Japanese settlement, though relocated into Choryang later, continued to exist until Korea was exposed to modern diplomacy in 1876. In 1876, Busan became the first international port in Korea under the terms of the Treaty of Ganghwa.

During the Japanese rule, Busan developed into a hub trading port with Japan. Busan was the only city in Korea to adopt the steam tramway before electrification was introduced in 1924.

During the Korean War, Busan was one of only two cities in South Korea not captured by the North Korean army within the first three months of the War. As a result, the city became a refugee camp site for Koreans during the war, along with Daegu.

As Busan was one of the few areas in Korea that remained under the control of South Korea throughout the Korean War, for some time it served as a temporary capital of the Republic of Korea. UN troops established a defensive perimeter around the city known as the Pusan Perimeter in the summer and autumn of 1950. Since then, like Seoul, the city has been a self-governing metropolis and has built a strong urban character.

In 1963, Busan separated from Gyeongsangnam-do to become a Directly Governed City (Jikhalsi). In 1983, the provincial capitol of Gyeongsangnam-do was moved from Busan to Changwon.

In 1995, Busan became a Metropolitan City (Gwangyeoksi).

Panorama of Busan from Busan Tower

Geography

View from Geumjeong Mountain.

Busan is located on the Southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula. It is located on the coast, which determined the development of the whole city itself. It is the nearest of South Korea's six largest cities to Japan. The distance as the crow flies from Busan to Tsushima Island, Japan, is about 49.5 km (31 mi), to Fukuoka, Japan, about 180 km (112 mi), and by contrast, to Seoul about 314 km (195 mi). Busan borders low mountains on the north and west, and the seas on the south and east. The Nakdong River Delta is located on the west side of the city, and Geumjeongsan, the highest mountain in the city, on the north. The Nakdong River, South Korea's longest river, flows through the west and empties into the Korea Strait. The southeastern region, called Yeongnam in Korea, encompasses both Gyeongsang Provinces and 3 metropolitan cities of Busan, Daegu and Ulsan. Ulsan lies northeast of Busan. Combined population exceeds 13 million.

Climate

Busan (1981–2010)
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     34     8 −1     50     10 1     81     13 5     133     18 10     157     22 14     207     24 18     317     27 22     255     29 23     158     26 20     58     22 14     46     16 8     23     11 2 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     1.4     46 31     2     50 34     3.2     56 41     5.2     65 50     6.2     71 57     8.1     76 64     12     81 71     10     85 74     6.2     79 67     2.3     72 57     1.8     61 46     0.9     51 36 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches

Located on the southeasternmost tip of the Korean Peninsula, Busan has a cooler version of a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cwa). Extremely high or low temperatures are rare. The highest temperature ever recorded is 37.3 °C (99.1 °F) on 14 August 2016 while the lowest temperature ever recorded is −14.0 °C (6.8 °F) on 13 January 1915. May to July, late Springs and early Summers, are usually cooler than inland regions because of the ocean effect. Late Summer, and early Autumn, August and September, are generally hot and humid and the city may experience typhoons at that time and be generally rainy. On September 15, 1959, Super Typhoon Sarah passed by the coast of the city and caused catastrophic damage. An unusually severe storm on September 12, 2003, Typhoon Maemi, also caused damage to ships and buildings and resulted in over 48 fatalities.

October and November are generally the most comfortable, with clear skies and pleasant temperatures. Winters are cold and comparatively dry with high winds, but much milder than other parts of Korea except Jeju-do and several islands off the southern coast. Busan and the nearby area has the least amount of snow compared to other regions of Korea due to its location. Snow falls on an average of only about 5 days per year. Even a little accumulation of snow can effectively shut down this seaport city because of the hilly terrain and unfamiliarity of motorists with driving on snow.

Climate data for Busan (1981–2010, extremes 1904–present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	18.4 (65.1)	20.3 (68.5)	22.9 (73.2)	28.1 (82.6)	34.0 (93.2)	33.4 (92.1)	35.8 (96.4)	37.3 (99.1)	35.2 (95.4)	29.8 (85.6)	25.6 (78.1)	20.9 (69.6)	37.3 (99.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	7.8 (46.0)	9.8 (49.6)	13.4 (56.1)	18.2 (64.8)	21.7 (71.1)	24.4 (75.9)	27.3 (81.1)	29.4 (84.9)	26.3 (79.3)	22.4 (72.3)	16.3 (61.3)	10.5 (50.9)	18.9 (66.0)
Daily mean °C (°F)	3.2 (37.8)	4.9 (40.8)	8.6 (47.5)	13.6 (56.5)	17.5 (63.5)	20.7 (69.3)	24.1 (75.4)	25.9 (78.6)	22.3 (72.1)	17.6 (63.7)	11.6 (52.9)	5.8 (42.4)	14.7 (58.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	−0.6 (30.9)	1.1 (34.0)	4.9 (40.8)	9.9 (49.8)	14.1 (57.4)	17.9 (64.2)	21.8 (71.2)	23.4 (74.1)	19.5 (67.1)	14.1 (57.4)	7.8 (46.0)	2.0 (35.6)	11.3 (52.3)
Record low °C (°F)	−14.0 (6.8)	−12.6 (9.3)	−9.7 (14.5)	−1.5 (29.3)	5.4 (41.7)	9.3 (48.7)	13.8 (56.8)	15.4 (59.7)	9.6 (49.3)	1.8 (35.2)	−6.5 (20.3)	−12.0 (10.4)	−14.0 (6.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	34.4 (1.35)	50.2 (1.98)	80.7 (3.18)	132.7 (5.22)	157.4 (6.20)	206.7 (8.14)	316.9 (12.48)	255.1 (10.04)	158.0 (6.22)	58.4 (2.30)	45.8 (1.80)	22.8 (0.90)	1,519.1 (59.81)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm)	5.5	6.2	8.4	9.1	9.4	10.4	13.6	11.5	9.3	5.2	5.5	4.2	98.3
Average snowy days	1.7	1.4	0.8	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.2	1.1	5.2
Average relative humidity (%)	48.3	51.4	57.7	62.7	69.8	77.4	84.3	79.9	73.9	64.0	57.0	50.1	64.7
Mean monthly sunshine hours	199.0	182.5	193.0	210.0	221.7	179.7	165.8	200.9	167.2	208.9	194.4	204.3	2,327.3
Percent possible sunshine	63.6	59.3	52.0	53.6	51.1	41.4	37.5	48.2	44.9	59.6	62.6	67.0	52.3
Source: Korea Meteorological Administration (percent sunshine and snowy days)

Administrative divisions

In 1957 Busan adopted a division system with the creation of six gu (districts): Busanjin-gu, Dong-gu, Dongnae-gu, Jung-gu, Seo-gu, and Yeongdo-gu. Today, Busan is divided into fifteen gu and one gun (county).

Administrative divisions

Subdivision	Korean	Area (km²)	Population (2015)
Buk District	북구; 北區	39.36	299,182
Busanjin District	부산진구; 釜山鎭區	29.70	376,321
Dong District	동구; 東區	9.73	89,202
Dongnae District	동래구; 東萊區	16.63	262,154
Gangseo District	강서구; 江西區	181.50	92,628
Geumjeong District	금정구; 金井區	65.27	249,444
Haeundae District	해운대구; 海雲臺區	51.47	409,037
Jung District	중구; 中區	2.83	45,377
Nam District	남구; 南區	26.81	283,741
Saha District	사하구; 沙下區	41.75	334,762
Sasang District	사상구; 沙上區	36.09	240,709
Seo District	서구; 西區	13.93	111,996
Suyeong District	수영구; 水營區	10.21	173,069
Yeongdo District	영도구; 影島區	14.15	129,515
Yeonje District	연제구; 蓮堤區	12.08	203,527
Gijang County	기장군; 機張郡)	218.32	148,073

Economy

Hanjin Heavy Industries

Busan is an international business and financial center and renowned for its machinery, steel, ship building and marine industries, fashion, tourism and trade fairs. Busan is the fifth busiest seaport in the world, with transportation and shipping among the most high-profile aspects of the local economy. Since 1978, Busan has opened three container ports including Jaseungdae, Shinsundae, and Gamman. Busan has one of the world's largest ports and can handle up to 13.2 million TEU shipping containers per year.

The Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority, one of two such administrations in Korea, was created to reassert Busan's status as a traditional international trading centre. The port attracts ships from all over the globe and the surrounding area aspires to become a regional financial centre.

Korea Exchange (KRX), Korea's sole securities exchange operator, is headquartered in Busan.

Busan is the home of the headquarters of Renault Samsung Motors, Hanjin Heavy Industries, Busan Bank, Air Busan, Hi Investment & Securities, Woori Aviva Life Insurance, Korea Technology Finance Corporation, Korea Asset Management Corporation, Korea Housing-Finance Corporation, Korea Securities Depository, Korea Housing Guarantee Company, Korea Southern Power Company, BNK Financial Group.

Jagalchi Fish Market is the largest fish market in Korea.

Busan is ranked the fourth best city after Singapore, Seoul and Tokyo among Asia's top convention cities in a 2011 global ranking by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

Busan was ranked the 27th among 83 cities and top 8 Asia/Pacific centres of the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI) published by UK-based Z/Yen Group in March 2014.

Shopping and commerce

File:Yacht in front of Marine City.png

Marine City, Busan

Seomyeon

Jagalchi Market

Commercial areas are dispersed throughout the city near busy intersections and adjacent to university campuses, but the two largest central business districts in Busan are Seomyeon and Gwangbok-dong/Nampo-dong. There are also four substantial shopping areas of note: Seomyeon, Gwangbok-dong, Busan Dae Hakap in Jangjeon-dong, and Centum City in Haeundae-gu.

Seomyeon is the crossroads of Busan. The local subway station serves two lines and is one of the busiest in the city. Seomyeon subway station is also home to a large number of underground shops, selling a variety of products, predominately clothing and footwear. These are small boutique shops, selling locally produced products. Though shopping here can be frustrating, as you are often not allowed to try on the merchandise, you are sure to find some great bargains. The local head offices of Korean and international banks are located in Seomyeon. It is recognized as the ascendant shopping and entertainment district. It is also home to "Seomyeon Medical Street", the district encompassing the 1 km-radius range around Lotte Department Store in Seomyeon and the Buam subway station. The Street is home to a total of 160 cosmetic and other medical clinics, including those specializing in cosmetic surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology and dentistry. Directly adjacent to Seomyeon is Bujeon Market, the largest traditional market in the city. Other companies with offices here include Yeolmae Food.

The Gwangbok-dong, Nampo-dong, and Jungang-dong areas form the old central business district. Some of the restaurants in this district use family recipes passed down the generations. Jagalchi Market, a large seafood market, is located in this area. The Gukje Market is also nearby. Jungang-dong is the home of many international law offices, the old Immigration Office, and the international ferry terminal serving Japanese routes. Lotte World II is currently under construction along the water between Jungang-dong 7-Ga and 8-Ga.

Centum City, an industrial complex, is a popular new shopping area with luxury department stores.

Major department stores

Store	Locations of Branch(es) in Busan
Lotte Department Store	Centum City, Seomyeon, Gwangbok, Dongnae
Shinsegae Department Store	Centum City
Hyundai Department Store	Beomil-dong

Premium outlets

Store	Location
Lotte Premium Outlets	Gimhae
Shinsegae Simon Premium Outlets	Gijang
Lotte Mall DongBusan	Gijang

Major large discount stores

Store
Home Plus
E Mart
Lotte Mart
Hanaro Club
Mega Mart
Costco

Educational facilities

Universities with graduate schools

A panoramic view of PNU

Korea Maritime University

• Busan University of Foreign Studies (BUFS)
• Busan Presbyterian University
• Busan National University of Education (BNUE)
• Catholic University of Pusan
• Tongmyong University
• Dongseo University
• Dong-A University
• Dong-eui University
• Inje University – Busan Campus
• Kosin University
• Korea Maritime University
• Kyungsung University
• Pukyong National University (PKNU)
• Pusan National University (PNU)
• Silla University
• Youngsan University

Other institutes of higher education

• Busan Arts College
• Busan College of Information Technology
• Busan Kyungsang College
• Busan Polytechnic College
• Daedong College
• Dong-Pusan College
• Dongju College
• Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology

Foreign schools

Primary and secondary schools:

• Busan International Foreign School [4] (Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade)
• Busan Foreign School [5] (Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade)
• Overseas Chinese High School, Busan
• Overseas Chinese Elementary School Busan (韓國釜山華僑小學/부산화교소학교)
• Busan Japanese School (釜山日本人学校/부산일본인학교)

Colleges and universities:

• Friedrich-Alexander University Busan Campus [6] (German University in Korea)

Culture and attractions

Busan not only features a variety of antique and souvenir shops, but also unique restaurants, attractions and accommodations.

Parks, beaches, and highlights

Nurimaru APEC House

Dadaepo Beach

Nampo-dong is a popular central shopping and café district. The area around Pukyong National University and Kyungsung University also has many cafés, bars, and restaurants attracting college students and youth.

Busan is called the summer capital of Korea since it attracts tourists from all over the country to its six beaches. Luxury hotels and a carnival boardwalk line the beach at Haeundae. Gwangalli Beach has cafés, bars, and restaurants along the beach, and the Grand Gwangan Bridge. Other beaches include Dadaepo Beach on the west edge of the city and Songdo Beach, which is south-central.

Geumjeongsan to the west is a popular weekend hiking spot for Busan residents. To the north, the neighborhoods around Pusan National University (also known as PNU, which is one of the most highly recognized national institutes of higher education in Korea) have student theaters, cafés, bars and restaurants, as well as open-air cultural street performances on weekend nights. Nearby is Beomeosa, the city's main Korean Buddhist temple.

Yongdusan Park occupies 69,000 square meters/17 acres (7 ha) and is home to the Busan Tower, Yongdusan Art Gallery, and the Busan Aquarium. The park supports approximately seventy different species of trees and is a favorite tourist destination, with various cultural events throughout the year.

Dongnae-gu is a wealthy and traditional residential area. Dongnae Oncheon is a natural spa area with many baths, tourist hotels, restaurants, clubs and shopping areas. Many restaurants in the area use family recipes. Chungnyeolsa is a Confucian shrine for soldiers who died during the 16th century battle against the Japanese at Dongnae Fortress.

Taejongdae is a natural park with magnificent cliffs facing the open sea on the island of Yeongdo.

The area known as the "Foreigners' Shopping Street", but commonly referred to as "Texas Street" near part of the Port of Busan, and adjacent to the front entrance to the Busan Train Station (부산역) has many businesses that cater to the local Russian population, as well as the crews of foreign ships. The area was originally the location of the local Chinatown and still contains a Chinese school.

Busan Aquarium, located in Haeundae Beach, is the largest aquarium in South Korea. Haedong Yonggung temple is one of three sacred places related to the Goddess Buddha. It is located right next to the sea. It lies in a mountain in the front and the sea at the back.

Gamcheon-dong, located west of Nampo-dong, is a hidden hillside area within the city with high, sweeping views of the ocean and brightly painted houses.

Busan Citizens Park (formerly Camp Hialeah) is a former Imperial Japanese Army base and United States Army camp located in the Busanjin District.

Temples, religious and historical sites

Beomeosa Temple

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

• Beomeosa Temple
• Busanjinjiseong Fortress (or Jaseongdae)
• Cheonseongjinseong Fortress
• Chungnyeolsa Shrine
• Dongnaeeupseong Fortress
• Dongnae Hyanggyo Confucian shrine-school
• Dongnaebu Dongheon
• Dongsam-dong Shell Mound
• Fortress site of Jwasuyeong
• Geumjeongsanseong Fortress
• Haedong Yonggung Temple
• Janggwancheong
• Gungwancheong
• Songgongdan Altar
• Jeongongdan Altar
• Samgwangsa Temple
• Tumuli in Bokcheon-dong, Dongnae
• United Nations Memorial Cemetery
• Waeseong in Jukseong-ri, Gijang
• Yeongdo Bridge
• Yeonggadae Pavilion
• Yungongdan Altar

Arts

File:Busan Film Center.jpg

Busan Cinema Center, Dureraum.

Busan hosts the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)—one of the most popular international film festivals in Asia—at the Busan Cinema Center every fall. It is also the home of the Busan Biennale, an international contemporary art biennale which takes place every two years.

It also hosted the 2nd Asia Song Festival, organised by Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange, in 2005.

In 2012 German artist Hendrik Beikirch, along with Public Delivery, painted Asia and the world's tallest mural.

Museums

Busan Exhibition and Convention Center

• Bokcheon Museum
• Busan Modern History Museum
• Busan Museum
• Busan Museum of Modern Art
• Busan National University Museum
• Dongsam-dong Shell Midden Museum
• Dong-A University Museum
• Dong-eui University Museum
• Kyungsung University Museum
• National Maritime Museum
• Regular Pa-jeon Museum
• Silly Pa-Jeon Museum

Traditional cuisine

Dongnae pajeon

Busan was once a center of military affairs in the southern region of the peninsula and therefore was an important site for diplomatic relationships with Japan; high-ranking officers and officials from the court frequently visited the city. Special foods were prepared for the officers such as Dongnae pajeon (동래파전), a variant of pajeon (Korean savory pancakes), made with whole scallions, sliced chili peppers, and various kinds of seafood in a thick batter of wheat flour, glutinous rice flour, eggs, salt and water.

During the Korean War, Busan was the biggest refugee destination on the peninsula; people from all regions of Korea went there. Some of these refugees stayed and adapted and adjusted the recipes of their local specialties. One of these foods is milmyeon (밀면) (lit. 'wheat noodle') a version of naengmyeon, cold buckwheat noodle soup, but using wheat flour instead. (Naemyeon is originally a specialty food of Hamhung and Pyongyang, now part of North Korea.) Dwaeji gukbap (돼지국밥) (lit. 'pork/pig soup rice') is also a result of Korean War. It is a hearty pork soup and is becoming more popular nationwide.

Hot spring resorts and spas

Busan has the largest hot spring resorts and facilities in Korea.

• Spa Land (Haeundae-Gu)
• HurShimChung Hot Spring Resorts and Spa Town (Dongnae-Gu)
• Haeundae Hot Spring Resorts and Spa Towns (Haeundae-Gu)
• Dongnae Hot Spring Resorts and Spa Towns (Dongnae-Gu)
• Gwangalli Spa Towns (Suyeong-Gu)

Religion

Religion in Busan (2005)

  Not religious (43%)

  Buddhism (39.2%)

  Protestantism (10.4%)

  Catholicism (7.4%)

According to the census of 2005, of the people of Busan 39.2% follow Buddhism and 17.8% follow Christianity (10.4% Protestantism and 7.4% Catholicism). 43% of the population is mostly not religious or follow other indigenous religions.

Communications

Station or Newspaper	Types
Busan KBS	TV, Radio
Busan MBC	TV, Radio
KNN	TV, Radio
Busan CBS	Radio
Busan BBS	Radio
Busan eFM	Radio (English, Chinese)
Busan PBC	Radio
Busan Ilbo	Daily Newspaper
Kookje Shinmun	Daily Newspaper

Sports

The city announced its failed bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics on 14 November 2005, ultimately losing out to Tokyo. It is currently considering bidding to host the 2028 or 2032 Summer Olympics.

Sports teams and facilities

Club	League	Stadium	Stadium Capacity	Sports Type
Lotte Giants	KBO League	Sajik Baseball Stadium	28,500	Baseball
Busan IPark	K League Challenge	Busan Asiad Stadium	53,864	Football
Busan KT Sonicboom	KBL	Sajik Arena	14,099	Basketball

Baseball

Sajik Baseball Stadium

Since 1982, the city has been home to the Lotte Giants, who play in the Korea Professional Baseball league. In Korea, Busan is known as the capital of baseball and has a reputation for very enthusiastic baseball fans. For the first few years, the Lotte Giants utilized Gudeok Baseball Stadium as their home. In the mid-1980s, they moved to Sajik Baseball Stadium, which was built as part of a sports complex for the 1986 Asian Games.

Football

The city is home to a K-League football team, the Busan IPark. The team was formerly known as the Daewoo Royals and was a successful team during the 1990s. Busan is also home to a National League football club, the Busan Transportation Corporation.

Basketball

Busan also has a Korean Basketball League team, the Busan KT Sonicboom that plays in Sajik Arena.

Thoroughbred racing

Thoroughbred horse racing is held at Busan-Gyeongnam Horse Racing Park every weekend.

Bicycle racing

Bicycle Racing is held at "Busan Cydrome," the velodrome in Geumjeong Sports Park, every weekend.

Festivals and events

Busan celebrates festivals all year round.

Month	Annual Festivals and Events
January	New Year Festival in Busan, Polar Bear Swimming Contest
February	Haeundae Moontan Road Festival
March	Busan International Performing Arts Festival
April	Gwangalli Fishery(Eobang) Festival
May	Busan Motor Show, Busan Port Festival, Busan Contents Market, Busan International Short Film Festival
June	Haeundae Sand Festival, Busan International Dance Festival, Art Busan
July	Gijang Town Festival
August	Busan Sea Festival, Busan International Rock Festival, Busan International Magic Festival, Busan International Kids' Film Festival, Busan International Advertising Festival, Busan International Comedy Festival
September	Busan Biennale, Busan Sea Art Festival, Busan Maru International Music Festival
October	Busan International Film Festival, Busan International Fireworks Festival, Busan Jagalchi Festival
November	Busan Port Lighting Festival, G-Star-Global Game Exhibition, Busan Choral Festival & Competition
December	Busan Christmas Tree Festival, White Night in Busan, 라꼬빛 Festival

Medical facilities

Busan has many hospitals and clinics. Many cosmetic surgery, dermatological, ophthalmic, dental clinics are concentrated in Seomyeon medical street.

Major medical centers

Name of Hospital	Number of beds
Pusan National University Hospital at Yangsan	1720
Pusan National University Hospital at Busan	1180
Inje University Paik Hospital at Haeundae	1004
Dong-A University Hospital	920
Kosin University Hospital	912
Busan St. Mary's Medical Center	716
Dong-eui Medical Center	640
Busan Baptist Hospital	608
Busan Medical Center	591
Maryknoll Medical Center	501
Inje University Paik Hospital at Busan	898
Wallace Memorial Baptist Hospital	380
Dongnam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences Cancer Center	304

Transportation

Bus

Major express bus lines link Busan with other cities in Korea at two primary bus terminals, Nopodong Bus Terminal (at the northern terminus of Subway Line 1) and Seobu Bus Terminal at Sasang Station on Subway Line 2.

134 routes of urban buses service every part of Busan Metropolitan City. (Busan Urban Bus)

Sea

Busan Port Pier 1 with the International Ferry Terminal (3 docked ferries shown)

Ferries leaving from the International Ferry Terminal on Busan Port Pier 1 connect Busan to the Japanese ports of Izuhara and Hitakatsu on Tsushima Island, as well as the cities of Shimonoseki, Fukuoka, and Osaka on Japan's mainland.

• PanStar operates the PanStar Ferry between Busan and Osaka.
• The Seaflower 2, the ferry to Tsushima operated by Dae-a Express Shipping, carries passengers only between Busan and Hitakatsu in 1 hour 40 minutes and between Busan and Izuhara in 2 hours 40 minutes.
• The Seonghee, operated by Pukwan Ferry, links Busan to Shimonoseki.
• One of the ferries to Fukuoka is the Camellia, operated by Camellia Line. The Camellia makes the trip to Fukuoka overnight in 7 hours 30 minutes, and trip back in the afternoon in 5 hours 30 minutes.
• The other ferry service to Fukuoka is assumed by the Beetles and the Kobees, 2 fleets of high-speed hydrofoils operated by Miraejet. About five departures from each city are scheduled every day. By hydrofoil it only takes 2 hours 55 minutes to cross the Korea Strait to Fukuoka. The Beetles are owned by JR Kyushu.

This is administered by the Busan Port Authority.

National railway

Busan lies on a number of rail lines, of which the most important is the Gyeongbu Line which connects it to other major cities such as Seoul, Daejeon, and Daegu. All classes of trains run along the Gyeongbu Line, including the superhigh speed KTX trains which provide frequent services to Seoul in approximately 150 minutes. The Gyeongbu Line terminates at Busan Station. Other lines include the Donghae Nambu Line which connects Ulsan, Pohang and Gyeongju.

Subway

Busan Subway Line 2

Main article: Busan Metro

The Busan Subway network contains four lines: 1, 2, 3, and 4. All four lines are operated by the Busan Transportation Corporation. The Busan-Gimhae Light Rail Transit line connects from Sasang Station (Line 2), Busan to Samgye Station, Gimhae.

Air

Busan is served by Gimhae International Airport in Gangseo-gu. Gimhae International Airport is connected by Busan-Gimhae Light Rail Transit

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in South Korea

Twin towns and sister cities

Busan shares the title of sister city with several coastal cities or provinces around the world.

– Kaohsiung, Taiwan (1966) – Los Angeles, USA (1967) – Shimonoseki, Japan (1976) – Barcelona, Spain (1983) – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1985) – Vladivostok, Russia (1992) – Shanghai, People's Republic of China (1993) – Surabaya, Republic of Indonesia (1994) – Victoria, Australian state (1994) – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (1995) – Tijuana, Mexico (1995) – Auckland, New Zealand (1996) – Valparaíso, Chile (1999) – Montreal, Canada (2000) – Western Cape, South African province (2000) – Istanbul, Turkey (2002) – Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2006) – Fukuoka, Japan (2007) – Chicago, USA (2007) – Saint Petersburg, Russia (2008) – Phnom Penh, Cambodia (2009) – Mumbai, India (2009) – Thessaloniki, Greece (2010) – Casablanca, Morocco (2011) – Cebu City, Philippines (2011) – Marikina, Philippines (2012) – Yangon, Myanmar (2013)

• – Burlington, Canada (2016)

Friendship cities

• Shenzhen, China (2007)
• Tianjin, China (2007)
• Osaka, Japan (2008)
• Chongqing, China (2010)
• Beijing, China (2013)
• Nagasaki, Japan (2014)
• George Town, Malaysia (2015)

Sister ports

The Port of Busan also has 6 sister ports (listed in order of dates).

• – Port of Southampton, United Kingdom (1978)
• – Port of Miami, USA (1981)
• – Port of Osaka, Japan (1985)
• – Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands (1985)
• – Port of New York & New Jersey, USA (1988)
• – Port of Shanghai, China (1994)

See also

• 40–step stairway
• Busan International Film Festival
• Busan–Geoje Fixed Link
• Centum City, urban complex
• Gwangan Bridge
• Index of Korea-related articles
• List of cities in South Korea
• List of East Asian ports
• Lotte Giants, local baseball team
• Pusan Newport International Terminal

References

Bibliography

• "Corea" , Encyclopædia Britannica, 9th ed., Vol. VI, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1878, pp. 390–394.
• Overkamp, Sven (2009), "Selected Materials on Korean from the Siebold Archive in Bochum", BJOAF (PDF), vol. Vol. 33, pp. 187–216 {{citation}}: |volume= has extra text (help).

External links

• Busan Metropolitan Government
• City of Busan
• All About Busan – The Official Korea Tourism Guide Site
• Pusanweb