Busan City Corporation is establishing a safety management cooperation system among local public enterprises in Busan while continuing to support private lifeguard training and community service activities for vulnerable groups.
On October 13, the corporation held the first meeting of the Safety and Health Council, which includes five local public enterprises under the Busan city government, at the Comprehensive Disaster Safety Situation Room. The meeting served as a platform to jointly discuss safety management issues faced by public institutions and share experiences and operational cases related to safety management.
Representatives from Busan City Corporation, Busan Transportation Corporation, Busan Facilities Corporation, Busan Environmental Corporation, and Busan Tourism Corporation attended the council.
The council examined safety management issues arising from various business sites, including construction, transportation, facilities, environment, and tourism. They discussed smart safety management systems, the operation of work stoppage rights, and ways to enhance the expertise of safety and health personnel.
Joint responses to the evaluation of safety activities among local public enterprises were also on the agenda. Participants shared difficulties encountered in the organization and operation of safety management, budget allocation for safety, and the preparation of evaluation materials, emphasizing the need for practical information exchange.
Busan City Corporation plans to continue sharing safety and health-related issues and response experiences among participating organizations.
Baek Gyeong-ran, head of the Safety Management Office at Busan City Corporation, expressed hope that the council would serve as a practical communication channel for addressing safety and health issues faced by each institution.
Busan City Corporation is working to address the lack of training space for private lifeguards by providing facility support at Arpina.
On October 7, the Arpina Business Unit signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Association of Sports for All, agreeing to support four lifeguard training sessions using the swimming pool each year before the opening of beaches in May and June.
About 100 qualified lifeguards stationed at Haeundae and Songjeong beaches have primarily trained in the ocean. However, training has often been canceled or interrupted due to environmental factors such as water temperature, high waves, and jellyfish.
There have also been challenges in securing indoor training facilities. Public swimming pools are not easily available for regular bookings, and private pools often impose high fees, leading some to rent shallow children's pools for training.
Arpina provides a controlled indoor swimming environment where lifeguards can repeatedly practice essential rescue techniques, including approaches and towing. Instructors will also be able to monitor and assess the trainees' movements during practice.
The schedule for training sessions, lane usage, and participant numbers will be determined through prior consultation between the two organizations, ensuring no disruption to general public use of the swimming pool.
The Korea Association of Sports for All will also support educational programs for youth, including swimming education and water safety training, at the Arpina Youth Center.
Additionally, a staff volunteer activity for vulnerable groups in the community took place. On October 8, 33 employees from Busan City Corporation participated in the '2026 BMC Love Bread Distribution' event organized by the Busan branch of the Korean Red Cross.
Employees took part in baking and packaging bread. The finished bread and fruit cups were delivered to vulnerable community members through the Korean Red Cross.
One participating employee stated, "I hope the carefully prepared bread and fruit cups bring a little comfort and joy to our neighbors, and I wish this sharing can be a foundation for warm changes throughout the community."
Shin Chang-ho, president of Busan City Corporation, emphasized that the corporation's facilities and capabilities should be actively utilized where needed for the citizens and the community, stating, "We will continue to identify projects that ensure citizen safety and promote community coexistence."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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