Busan City Strengthens Global Cooperation in Education and Design

Mayor Park Hyungjun Visits London's Royal Russell School
Educational and Design Exchange, Roadmap for Busan Campus

Busan City is expanding exchanges with global education and design networks, aiming to strengthen its brand as a "global hub city."

On September 10 (local time), the city announced that Mayor Park Hyungjun visited the main campus of Royal Russell School in London, United Kingdom, which is currently planning to establish a branch in Myeongji International New City, as well as the world-renowned designer Thomas Heatherwick's Heatherwick Studio.

Mayor Park visited Royal Russell School to discuss the roadmap for building the Busan campus and explore ways to collaborate on education and cultural programs linked to the local community, while also touring key facilities. The visit was attended by Andrew Merriman, Chairman of the Board, Chris Hutchinson, Principal, and Debbie Wilkinson, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London representing the British Royal Family.

The city is working to establish the Royal Russell School branch as Busan's first foreign educational institution, and held a design competition in the first half of this year with the goal of opening in 2028.

Busan Mayor Park Hyungjun is visiting Royal Russell School and exchanging souvenirs.

Mayor Park also visited Heatherwick Studio, a world-leading architecture and design group, to share directions for developing Busan's design industry and discuss opportunities for collaboration. Heatherwick Studio has earned global acclaim for innovative projects such as London's "Garden Bridge" and New York's "Vessel" at Hudson Yards.

The city expects that this visit will serve as an opportunity to expand global exchanges centered on education and design, while elevating Busan's status as an international city.

Mayor Park Hyungjun emphasized, "This visit to the United Kingdom is highly significant as it achieved two major outcomes: the proclamation of the 'World Design Capital Busan 2028' vision and the expansion of global education and investment networks. We will continue to work closely with educational institutions and design experts at home and abroad to establish Busan as a sustainable, world-class design city."