BUSAN — Marking a major milestone in cross-border municipal diplomacy, a high-level delegation from Shimonoseki, Japan, traveled to Busan for a two-day official visit from November 7 to 8. The visit commemorated the golden jubilee—the 50th anniversary—of the sister-city partnership between the two coastal hubs.

The 11-member Japanese delegation was led by Shimonoseki Mayor Shintaro Maeda and City Council Chairperson Shinichiro Hayashi. The exchange served as a reciprocal celebration following a delegation trip by Busan officials to Shimonoseki this past August for the Kanmon Kaikyo Fireworks Festival. To further encourage grassroots connectivity during this milestone year, Shimonoseki City provided financial travel subsidies for citizens visiting Busan to experience the city's renowned autumn events.

The itinerary kicked off on November 7 with an inspection of the Busan Port North Port Redevelopment Promotion Center, where municipal leaders reviewed urban regeneration initiatives and modernizing waterfront infrastructure. The delegation then toured key local cultural venues and attended an official welcome banquet hosted by the Busan Metropolitan Government.

The highlight of the evening unfolded along the city's coastline, where celebratory messages honoring the 50-year alliance lit up the iconic Gwangan Bridge. The delegates joined thousands of spectators to watch the spectacular Busan Fireworks Festival, symbolizing the enduring warmth of bilateral relations.

On the second day, November 8, the delegation explored Busan's vibrant arts scene by visiting the recently renovated Busan Museum of Art. Dignitaries toured the latest special exhibitions and viewed masterpieces by internationally acclaimed contemporary artist Lee Ufan, whose minimalist works bridge Korean and Japanese artistic dialogues.

Bound historically by centuries of maritime interaction—dating back to the era of Joseon Tongsinsa diplomatic missions—Busan and Shimonoseki officially formalized their sisterhood on October 11, 1976. Over the past five decades, the municipalities have cultivated robust exchanges across tourism, administration, and culture.

Reflecting on the milestone, Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo emphasized the deep-rooted bond shared across the Korea Strait. "Despite being separated by the sea, Busan and Shimonoseki have remained steadfast neighbors and reliable partners for half a century," Mayor Jeon noted. "We look forward to expanding our cooperation into new horizons of marine economy, tourism, and culture as we embark on our next 50 years of friendship."

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