Visit of Economic Delegation Including Minister of Transportation and Communications
Discussion on Exchange and Cooperation Measures Between Busan and Finland
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] On the afternoon of the 30th, Busan City met with Timo Harakka, Minister of Transport and Communications of Finland, and other high-ranking Finnish officials at the Embassy of Finland in Korea to discuss exchange and cooperation plans between Busan and Finland, and to carry out negotiation and promotional activities for the bid to host the 2030 Busan World Expo.
Finnish Minister of Transport and Communications Visits Korea, Meets with Park Hyung-jun, Mayor of Busan.
Minister Timo Harakka of the Ministry of Transport and Communications has been actively engaged in the international community, including proposing the Web 3.0 legislation as an institutional foundation for the technical expansion of cryptocurrency at the recent Davos Forum held in Switzerland, and is regarded as an influential figure in European society.
Minister Timo Harakka visited Korea as part of the Finnish economic delegation. The delegation included not only leading Finnish companies but also officials from key government ministries. They arrived on the 29th and are scheduled to stay in Korea until the 31st.
On the 30th, Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun visited Seoul to attend the inauguration ceremony of the National Assembly Economic Diplomacy Advisory Committee (Chairman Jung Woo-taek) and took time from his busy schedule to visit the embassy and meet with the Minister of Transport and Communications and others.
The National Assembly Economic Diplomacy Advisory Committee was launched on the 30th as an expanded and reorganized version of the Busan World Expo Bid Cooperation Committee formed last year, aiming to establish economic diplomacy as a core axis of parliamentary diplomacy.
During the meeting, key discussions focused on supporting the bid for the 2030 World Expo in Busan, strengthening cooperation in digital economy sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing, and enhancing cooperation between Busan and Helsinki, Finland, including the resumption of direct flight routes.
Minister Timo Harakka stated, “The creation of technology and digital ecosystems is important not only at the national level but also at the regional level, and I believe the potential for cooperation is limitless. Since Helsinki is also developing a smart city, let us continue a mutually beneficial cooperative relationship.”
Mayor Park said, “Busan is South Korea’s leading smart city, currently promoting a future-oriented waterfront city development project centered on the Nakdong River in West Busan through systematic and planned development. Several companies related to 6G, cloud, autonomous driving, energy self-sufficiency, and carbon neutrality are participating in the project, and I believe cooperation with Finland can be expanded regarding the smart city project.”
Furthermore, Mayor Park Hyung-jun requested Finland’s special interest and support for the bid to host the 2030 Busan World Expo, and said, “I hope the establishment of the Busan-Helsinki direct flight route, which has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, will be resolved soon so that active exchanges can take place in the tourism and cultural sectors as well.”
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