A map showing the current state of industrial complexes in western Busan [Busan city government]
A map showing the current state of industrial complexes in western Busan [Busan city government]

Busan city officials met with businesses operating in the city's western industrial complexes Monday to discuss ways to strengthen the complexes' competitiveness and support the long-term growth of resident companies.

The city held a "100-Day Livelihood Dialogue" session Monday afternoon at a conference room on the second floor of the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation building in Gangseo-gu. Mayor Jeon Jae-soo attended alongside Yang Jae-saeng, chairman of the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Lee Nam-gyu, chairman of the Noksan National Industrial Complex Management Council; Kim Yun-gi, chairman of the Seobusan Smart Valley Management Corporation; and more than 20 representatives of companies based in western Busan's industrial complexes.

Participants exchanged a range of field-driven views on supporting corporate production activities and improving working conditions. The discussion covered four areas: building a shared platform for trial production and evaluation equipment for future vehicle electrification parts, establishing Busan-style smart factories, resolving parking shortages, and expanding lifestyle convenience facilities.

Before the session, Jeon visited GBLight Co., located in Beombang-dong, Gangseo-gu, touring its production floor and listening to employees' difficulties and suggestions. GBLight is the world's leading manufacturer of retroreflective film. Since its founding in 1997, the company has been recognized for its pleasant working environment and strong employee welfare, earning designation as a Busan "youth-attracting company" for three consecutive years from 2024 through 2026. This year it was also named one of Busan's distinguished local enterprises.

Meanwhile, Busan is pursuing a sweeping structural overhaul — the first of its kind in the country — that would completely redesign the industrial complex tenant classification system for the first time in 46 years. The city plans to redefine the functions and roles of its industrial complexes to broaden the range of business types available to tenant companies and allow more flexible responses to a changing industrial environment.

Seobusan Smart Valley — formerly known as the Sinpyeong-Jangnim industrial complex — was selected as a 2026 "culture-leading industrial complex," setting the stage for its transformation into a future-oriented mixed-use space where culture, the arts, youth and industry converge. The culture-leading industrial complex project will be carried out under seven themes combining youth, culture and industrial innovation, with the aim of turning the complex from a purely productive space into one where people can work, stay and enjoy themselves.

"The western Busan industrial complexes are a core hub that has driven Busan's industry and remain a solid foundation sustaining the city's economy today," Jeon said. "I will listen directly to the difficulties companies face on the ground and what support they need, and make sure that translates into tangible policy and assistance."


kaf2002@heraldcorp.com