Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon, left, takes a selfie with Busan Port Authority President Kang Jun-seok during the opening ceremony of the 15th Busan Port Festival on July 2. Courtesy of Busan Metropolitan Government

Mayor's educational vision extends to attracting foreign talent, companies

By Ko Dong-hwan

BUSAN ― The southeastern port city of Busan with a population of more than 3.3 million has been a popular destination for tourists from overseas. Beaches, food and nightlife drew people from across borders who arrived by land and sea. But the comers and goers were not enough to sustain the country's second biggest city, which is actively seeking foreign capital and talent. With all the infrastructure to support an ideal work-and-vacation lifestyle and a warm, breezy climate, Busan still seems to be missing something.

Park Heong-joon, a second-term mayor of the city who won the June 1 local election this year, has concluded that what has been missing in the city was the public use of English among city dwellers. As more residents become familiar with the language, the city will not just attract foreigners but also boost the level of education for students, according to the mayor. That is why the 62-year-old former journalist, educator and politician pledged to standardize the language as the city's second official language during the election campaign.

"For Busan to become a global hub, there shouldn't be any inconvenience in using English here," Park, who was the ruling People Power Party's (PPP) candidate in the city's mayoral election last June, told The Korea Times. "For global talent to come to Busan, education for children must be on a par with international levels."

His vision is already on track to becoming a reality.

A British international school is scheduled to open in 2024. For more schools for foreigners to open in the city, the central government must amend existing regulations, according to Park, who was the former presidential senior secretary for political affairs under Lee Myung-bak in 2009-2010.

Every aspect of the city will have to support English speakers ― from private and public workers to volunteers and government information that is produced for the public. What it takes to realize that, the mayor said, is rather simple ― revving up public English education at an early age.

"In 10, 20 or 30 years, those kids will be fluent in that language," said Park.