From Green Onion Fields to a World-Class City: Myeongji International New City Evolving into a Future-Oriented Complex Hub for Bio, Education, and Healthcare

Virtuous Cycle of Research, Industry, and Living
Full-Scale Launch of Foreign Educational Institutions and Medical Facilities

The once-familiar landscape of Myeongji, with its vast sandbanks and green onion fields stretching along the sea breeze, is undergoing a dramatic transformation into a world-class global city.

Myeongji International New City, located in the Busanjin-Hae Economic Free Zone, is evolving beyond being an industrial city focused on bio research and development (R&D) into a global complex city that combines education, medical, and cultural infrastructure. Myeongji is shifting from a residential new town to a future-oriented city where research, industry, and a sustainable living environment create a virtuous cycle, establishing itself as a growth axis in the southeastern region.

Global corporate research facilities such as Prestige Biopharma IDC, Descente Korea R&D Center, and SA Geolab R&D Center are concentrated in Myeongji International New City. The city is also equipped with office buildings for international business, premium business hotels, and a convention center.

The Prestige Biopharma Innovative Drug Research Institute (IDC), which opened in November last year, marked the beginning of the Myeongji bio R&D era. The IDC was built on a 31,000-square-meter (9,500-pyeong) site, with one basement floor and six above-ground floors, establishing a "full value chain" system that covers everything from antibody biopharmaceutical development to clinical trials and commercialization. The presence of research facilities by global bio companies is having a positive ripple effect on industry-academia collaboration and business attraction in the region.

In June, a memorandum of understanding for attracting Dongguk University Medical Center was signed.

In April, Park Seongho, Commissioner of the Busanjin-Hae Economic Free Zone Authority, visited Prestige Biopharma IDC with CEO Ko Sangseok to tour the research facilities and discuss directions for fostering the bio industry. Commissioner Park explained, "We will create new growth engines for youth employment and the regional economy."

Changes in the cultural and educational environment are also accelerating. In May, the Free Zone Authority signed a memorandum of understanding for investment with the City of Busan, the British Embassy in Korea, and the Royal Russell School Busan Campus Promotion Committee to establish the British Cultural Village. The project aims to create a complex cultural district featuring a British-style residential complex, a clock tower street, and spaces for performances and exhibitions.

Park Hyungjoon, Mayor of Busan, visited the main campus of Royal Russell School and discussed the construction roadmap for the Busan campus with the board of directors. Established in 1853, Royal Russell School is a prestigious educational institution that received "Excellent in all areas" from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in the UK. The Busan campus is scheduled to open in the second half of 2028, with a total project cost of approximately 174.9 billion won and a planned student capacity of about 1,350.

In May, a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of the British Cultural Village was signed.

Once the establishment of Busan's first foreign educational institution is confirmed, local students will be able to enroll without overseas residency requirements, marking a qualitative leap in the region's international education environment.

Medical infrastructure is also being expanded. In June, the Free Zone Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Busan, Dongguk University, and MKAAH Co., Ltd. to create a complex medical town. Attracting a university hospital for the first time in 21 years since the opening of the authority has laid the foundation for closing the healthcare gap in western Busan and strengthening global medical services.

Dongguk University Medical Center is a medical institution with strengths in advanced fields such as cancer treatment and organ transplantation. In the future, a medical complex based on a smart hospital will be established in the Myeongji district. The expansion of digital healthcare and medical tourism-related industries is also anticipated.

Commissioner Park stated, "Myeongji is emerging as a global premium city where jobs, education, healthcare, and culture grow together, going beyond a new town," adding, "We will build a future city model at the heart of the Busanjin-Hae Economic Free Zone that will attract worldwide attention."

Busanjin-Hae Economic Free Zone Myeongji International New City.