‘Busanhang Festival’ to be Expanded into a Major Global K-Content Event

Secured 500 Million KRW Through Ministry of Culture and Local Government Collaboration
Upgraded to Attract More Foreign Tourists

Busan City plans to secure government-funded budget for a large-scale Hallyu event and upgrade the Busan Port Festival, scheduled for June, into a global Hallyu festival.

Busan City (Mayor Park Hyung-jun) announced on the 30th that it was selected for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s ‘2025 Large-scale Hallyu Comprehensive Event’ local government-linked public contest this year, securing 500 million KRW in national funding.

The event will be held from June 19 to 22 at venues including the Seoul Olympic Gymnastics Arena, and since this contest involves both central and local governments collaborating on a Hallyu event, it is expected to enhance the brand value of K-content.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism promoted this contest to discover local government events held around May to June, integrate them under the ‘2025 Large-scale Hallyu Comprehensive Event’ branding, and link related programs.

By being selected in the contest, Busan City decided to promote a large-scale Hallyu comprehensive event in connection with the annually held ‘Busan Port Festival’ at Busan Port.

The plan is to proceed in a way that maintains the identity of the existing festival while contributing to the revitalization of attracting foreign tourists.

Details of the project and budget allocation will be decided through consultations between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the co-host organizations of the Busan Port Festival, including the Busan Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office and Busan Port Authority.

Last year, about 74,000 tourists visited the Busan Port Festival, but only about 1,000 of them were foreign tourists. However, Busan City plans to intensify efforts to attract more foreign tourists this year.

Mayor Park Hyung-jun of Busan said, “This year, we will develop the existing Busan Port Festival into a richer festival that activates Hallyu content, achieving a twofold effect,” adding, “Furthermore, through this project, we will expand international tourism content and turn Busan into a global center of Hallyu culture and a global tourism and cultural city.”