Busan pilots remote work model to retain local talent

Busan Metropolitan City has announced the successful results of its pilot ‘Busan Residential Remote Work Support Project.’ The initiative aims to prevent the outflow of local talent to the Seoul metropolitan area by connecting Busan-based professionals with projects from companies located in the capital or overseas.

Participants in the program included specialists in development, design, and artificial intelligence. Notable outcomes included a designer residing in Busan working on external projects, and a professional with international experience managing tasks for U.S. startups and foreign companies while living in Busan. The program also provided opportunities for students at Seoul-based universities to participate in planning and AI development projects while remaining in Busan, and helped professionals re-enter the workforce after career breaks due to childcare.

Unlike traditional employment policies that focus on attracting companies to a region, this model leverages digital work capabilities to match local talent with external demand. The city plans to refine the program by focusing on securing high-quality work that matches professional expertise and establishing structures that transition short-term projects into long-term contracts or full-time employment.