Busan is set to host a series of autumn events that commemorate the historical significance of peace while creating special memories with pets. The city is also working to stabilize accommodation prices ahead of the fireworks festival.
2026 Busan UN Week Opens on the 23rd to Honor Veterans
The city of Busan announced on the 22nd that it will hold the '2026 Busan UN Week' from October 23 to November 11. This year marks the seventh iteration of the event, themed 'From Memory to Participation: Building Peace in Busan Together,' featuring a variety of citizen-centered memorial and cultural programs.
The opening ceremony will take place at the UN Memorial Park at 11 a.m. on the 23rd, commemorating the 81st anniversary of UN Day. Attendees will include Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo, diplomatic representatives from ten countries, heads of foreign missions in Busan, and veterans' organizations, all gathering to honor the sacrifices of veterans. A gratitude luncheon for the diplomatic corps in Korea will also be held that day.
Throughout the event, various activities conveying messages of peace will occur across the city. From October 22 to 30, flags and chrysanthemums from participating countries will be displayed around the UN Memorial Park, while major landmarks like Gwangandaegyo Bridge and the Busan Cinema Center will be illuminated in blue, symbolizing peace, starting from the 19th.
A digital experience called 'Connecting Peace - ONE PEACE' began on October 16 and will welcome participants until November 1. Other events include the 28th UN Peace Festival and the 2026 Busan National Defense Culture Festival from October 23 to 25, educational and cultural activities on the 24th, and the UN PEACE ROAD walking event on November 1.
On November 2, a World Peace Forum will be held under the theme 'Peace Diplomacy Connecting the World through K-Culture,' discussing strategies related to hosting the 2028 UN Ocean Conference. The week will conclude with the 'Turn Toward Busan' international memorial service on November 11. Following UN Week, from November 14 to 29, a tour of historical sites in Nam-gu will be conducted as part of the 'UN Beautiful Oryukdo Nam-gu Veterans Tour.'
Pet Festival in Underground Shopping Center Features Unique Events
A unique space for pet lovers will open on the 24th at the 'Pet Station' in the underground shopping center between Suyeong Station and Gwangan Station, welcoming visitors to the '2026 Busan Petro Festival' starting at 10 a.m.
Hosted by Pet Station Co., Ltd. and supported by the city of Busan, this event aims to foster a healthy pet culture by bringing together pet owners and non-pet owners. Activities will include games where dogs and their owners team up, veterinary health consultations, pet product crafting, and an adoption campaign for stray dogs.
From 11 a.m. to noon, a 'Petro Talk Show' led by a veterinarian will provide insights on pet nutrition and healthy pet ownership, allowing attendees to ask experts their burning questions. From 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., the 'Dog Exam' will take place, where owners and their dogs will work together to solve problems and complete missions.
Following that, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., 'Petro Tic-Tac-Toe' will engage participants in a game where they complete a game board with their dogs, fostering interaction and enjoyment. From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., 'Petro LIVE' will offer discussions on daily life with pets and tips for responsible pet ownership.
In addition to games and performances, attendees can receive consultations on pet health and behavior issues. The Pet Station's veterinary clinic will provide health consultations, while the grooming salon will offer free hygiene grooming services. There will also be opportunities for behavior correction consultations and crafting pet products. The 'Stray Dog Adoption Campaign' will allow citizens to meet and interact with stray dogs and receive information on the adoption process.
A flea market featuring ten local pet-related small businesses will showcase a variety of products, including pet snacks, clothing, and accessories. The Pet Station, which opened in 2024, is a multi-cultural and shopping space for pets, housing a veterinary clinic, pet café, grooming salon, and pet supply store.
Pre-registration via the QR code on the event poster and a gift giveaway for visitors will also be available. Interested participants should check the detailed program schedule and participation methods in advance.
Busan City Implements Accommodation Price Monitoring Ahead of Fireworks Festival
In preparation for the Busan Fireworks Festival, the city is taking steps to stabilize accommodation prices. On October 21, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., a 'Fair Pricing and Hospitality Campaign for Accommodation Facilities Ahead of the Busan Fireworks Festival' was conducted in the Gwangalli Beach area.
The campaign involved the Busan Tourism Association, the Busan branch of the Korea Hotel Association, and relevant local authorities from Suyeong, Haeundae, and Nam-gu. Participants shared updates on efforts to stabilize accommodation prices at the Suyeong Cultural Center before visiting local lodging establishments to encourage reasonable pricing and transparent business practices.
Specifically, they advised against excessive price hikes, the need for advance notice of accommodation prices and conditions, prevention of unilateral cancellations and unjust additional charges, and maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in rooms.
Busan City will also utilize a self-developed accommodation price monitoring program. This program is designed to compare and analyze accommodation prices on the day of the fireworks festival and the preceding Saturday to assess the level of price increases during the festival period.
Based on the monitoring results, the city plans to identify fair lodging establishments and consider providing promotional support and incentives for those businesses.
Na Yoon-bin, Director of the Busan Tourism Content Industry Bureau, stated, "The Busan Fireworks Festival is a major tourist event attracting many visitors from home and abroad, so it is crucial to secure tourists' trust through fair accommodation prices and friendly service. We urge the accommodation industry and relevant agencies to actively participate in maintaining reasonable pricing and providing friendly and clean services."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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