NOTICE

Busan Cultural Award Recipients Hold a Meeting with Mayor Park Heong-joon to Discuss Local Arts and Culture Development

The Association of Busan Cultural Award Recipients (Chairperson Do Yong-bok) held a meeting with Mayor Park Heong-joon on the 22nd at the Busan City Hall to discuss strategies for promoting the development of local arts and culture.

The meeting was attended by 13 members of the association, including Chairperson Do Yong-bok, CEO of Saratoga Co., former Shilla University Professor Kim Jeong-soon, former CEO of the Busan Cultural Foundation Kang Nam-joo, YC TEC Chairman Park Soo-kwan, and Dong-A University Professor Ha Hyung-joo. The participants shared insights on the current state of Busan’s cultural, artistic, and sports sectors and exchanged ideas on the future direction for growth.

Mayor Park addressed concerns about Busan’s reputation, stating, “Many view Busan as a declining city, often associated only with ‘The Old Man and the Sea.’ However, Busan will become the key driver of development in the southern region, equipped with vast potential, natural beauty, and robust infrastructure.”

Chairperson Do emphasized the importance of developing cultural content tailored to Busan’s unique identity, citing the global success of K-pop as a model for cultural innovation. The association also pledged active support in promoting the bid for the 2030 Busan World Expo.

Established in 1956, the Busan Cultural Awards represent the highest honor in the city. As of 2021, a total of 399 individuals have been recognized across 64 ceremonies. Awards are presented in various fields including humanities and natural sciences, literature, performing arts, traditional arts, popular arts, spatial design, sports, journalism and publishing, and community development—honoring those who have enriched civic life and contributed to regional progress.

Meanwhile, Chairperson Do Yong-bok began his two-year term this year after being elected to lead the association.