- Busan is launching a new science and tech policy forum led by Busan Institute for the Promotion of Science and Technology to guide future innovation strategy.
- The initiative brings together experts to identify key R&D priorities and shape long-term technology and infrastructure policies for the region.
- A major focus is strengthening Busan’s role as a global maritime hub, aligned with plans linked to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and marine innovation growth.
Busan is stepping into a more future-focused innovation era with the launch of a new science and technology policy forum in Busan led by the Busan Institute for the Promotion of Science and Technology (BISTEP). The organization, headed by President Kim Youngboo, is convening the first meeting of its 'Busan Science and Technology Issue Discovery Insight Group' on April 27, marking a strategic move to shape the city’s next generation of growth engines through expert-driven collaboration.
The initiative is designed to strengthen regional science and technology innovation in Busan by identifying key issues that can guide future policy and research direction. As global technological change accelerates, the group aims to help Busan respond proactively by building stronger local capacity for science and technology policy development and innovation planning.
Experts from maritime industries, research institutions, and policy sectors will come together to explore emerging opportunities and challenges. The focus is not just discussion, but actionable outcomes turning expert insights into practical R&D policy strategies for Busan’s future growth. Themes for 2026 will also be shaped during this initial meeting, with attention to technology, infrastructure, investment, and institutional support.
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A major highlight of this year’s agenda is the rising emphasis on the 'Era of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in Busan', reflecting ambitions to position the city as a global marine science and technology hub in South Korea. Discussions will explore how Busan can strengthen its role as a maritime capital through coordinated innovation policies and cross-sector collaboration.
According to BISTEP President Kim Youngboo, the Insight Group will serve as a long-term platform for identifying core scientific challenges and building sustainable policy responses. The broader goal is to reinforce a strong science and technology ecosystem in Busan, driven by expert networks and aligned with both national and local development strategies.
With this initiative, Busan is signaling a clear push toward becoming a globally competitive center for marine innovation and advanced scientific development.
