Busan, Philippines Deepen Strategic Ties

Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo convened with Leah Victoria T. Carada, the recently appointed Consul General of the Philippines in Busan, at the International Protocol Room of City Hall on August 20. This meeting aimed to welcome Carada and explore specific avenues for collaboration between Busan and the Philippines. Presently, approximately 2,400 Filipino expatriates call Busan home, contributing to the community through roles such as international students, workers, and marriage immigrants.

The tourism sector in Busan is also experiencing growth, with Filipino tourists constituting the fourth-largest proportion among the 2.42 million foreign visitors to the city in the first half of 2026, behind visitors from Greater China, Japan, and the United States.

Busan and the Province of Cebu, located in the Philippines, have been sister cities since 2011, fostering people-to-people exchanges centered around maritime affairs and tourism. The establishment of the Consulate General in Busan is anticipated to further enhance these exchanges. Mayor Jeon highlighted that the Philippines was the first ASEAN country to establish diplomatic relations with South Korea and sent troops to the Korean War, emphasizing the strong historical connection.

Recognizing the Philippines' archipelagic nature, comprising over 7,600 islands, he underscored the potential for collaboration in maritime industries, including smart ports and eco-friendly maritime sectors.

Consul General Carada has set up a temporary office in the Shindong Building in Choryang-dong, Dong-gu, and is progressing with the formal inauguration of the Consulate General. Her jurisdiction covers Gyeongsang-do, Daegu, Ulsan, Jeolla-do, Gwangju, and Jeju-do. Carada has been proactively engaging with Busan City events to solidify her commitment to cooperation.

She expressed her intention to actively promote practical exchanges between Busan and Philippine local governments following the official opening of the consulate general.