First city-district cooperation meeting held since launch of elected 9th-term administration
PPP budget talks, Democratic Party policy chief briefed on public institution relocation
Korea Development Bank chair meeting set for next week — a pivotal moment for bank relocation and regional airline
Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo is pressing ahead on the city's key policy priorities through a flurry of cross-party meetings spanning two consecutive days. He has been holding talks with figures from both parties on issues including the relocation of Korea Development Bank to Busan, concerns over the disappearance of a regional hub carrier following the Air Busan merger, and the construction of a multipurpose dome arena at the North Port — signaling a pragmatic, results-driven approach that cuts across party lines.
On Thursday morning, Jeon convened the first city-district cooperation meeting since the launch of the elected 9th-term administration, gathering the heads of all 16 of Busan's districts and counties at City Hall. Under the banner of "One Busan, Opening the 9th Term Together," the city and district governments signed a joint declaration titled "A Promise to Citizens," committing to five action priorities: putting citizens' happiness first in all administration, building Busan as a maritime capital, restoring the local economy and ensuring public safety, making Busan a city where young people want to stay, and sustaining communication and cooperation.
Jeon also outlined plans to develop AI and emerging technologies as new growth engines for Busan, centering on major projects including a K-Maritime AI Belt, a southeastern quantum cluster and a youth AI hub. "The city and its 16 districts and counties are partners moving together toward a single goal — citizen happiness and Busan's development," he said, calling on the district and county heads who began the 9th term alongside him to work in close cooperation.
At a budget policy meeting with the People Power Party's Busan chapter in Yeouido, Seoul, on Wednesday, Jeon said the city was mobilizing every available channel to secure the Korea Development Bank relocation. "We have arranged to meet KDB Chairman Park Sang-jin next week, and we are using every official and unofficial channel to bring the bank here," he said. He noted that KDB tops the list of public institutions the city has submitted to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for relocation. Jeon added that he had recently met with the land minister, Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok, the presidential chief of staff and President Lee Jae Myung. "There are some sensitive details I cannot share, but we are using every tool available," he said.
On concerns that the Air Busan merger could eliminate the region's hub carrier, Jeon said the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and KDB "must follow through on the principles they originally announced," and indicated he would press Chairman Park to take an active role when they meet. The pressure stems from KDB's 2020 investment of 800 billion won ($584 million) in Hanjin KAL to pursue the integration of three low-cost carriers, a move that came with a pledge to "foster a second hub airport and revitalize regional economies." Jeon is pushing for KDB to ensure a regional hub carrier survives — including by establishing the integrated LCC headquarters in Busan.
On Wednesday, Jeon also met with National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee Chairwoman Lee Jae-jeong and Democratic Party of Korea Policy Committee Chairman Kwon Chil-seung to raise a series of Busan priorities: construction of a multipurpose dome arena at the North Port, establishment of an Art Korea Lab in Busan as a creative and startup space combining art and technology, development of a second southern inbound tourism hub to position Busan as a world-class maritime city, a second round of public institution relocations in the maritime finance sector, the timely opening of Gadeokdo New Airport, and the establishment of a safe drinking water supply system.
Jeon signaled he would personally oversee budget and regulatory improvements ahead of the regular National Assembly budget review session. "The proposals we have put forward will serve as cornerstones for breaking through the limits of Greater Seoul-centered growth, securing new engines of development, and elevating both Busan's future and the lives of its citizens," he said. "We will work in close communication and cooperation with the central political establishment to resolve these key issues."
Observers in and around Busan's political circles have largely responded positively to Jeon's willingness to engage both ruling and opposition parties in a political landscape where the opposition holds a majority in the National Assembly. Still, significant hurdles remain — including opposition from KDB's labor union to the relocation and the pending final decisions by the land ministry and KDB on the Air Busan situation. The mayor's meeting with the KDB chairman, scheduled for next week, is widely seen as a watershed moment for both the bank relocation bid and the survival of a regional hub carrier.
kaf2002@heraldcorp.com
