What is the old name of Busan? Why is Busan called Pusan?

If you are planning to visit South Korea, you might be wondering about the history and meaning of its second-largest city, Busan. Busan is a coastal city in the southeast of the country, famous for its beaches, mountains, temples, and seafood.

But did you know that Busan was not always called Busan? The name Busan that is used today was derived from the former name for the settlement, Busan-po, which grew on the lower slopes of Mt. Busan (now called Mt. Jeung).

The word “po” means harbor in Korean, and Busan-po was a strategic port for trade and diplomacy with Japan and China. Up until the first half of the 15th Century, Busan-po was part of Busan-bukok which was a territory within Dongnae-hyeon, before the Joseon Dynasty.

During the Japanese colonial period, from 1910 to 1945, the city’s name was romanized as Pusan, following the Japanese pronunciation of the Korean letter ㅂ (b/p). After World War II, when Korea regained its independence, the city’s name was officially changed to Busan, following the revised romanization system adopted by the South Korean government in 2000.

Today, Busan is a vibrant and modern city that attracts millions of tourists every year. It is also a cultural hub that hosts international events such as the Busan International Film Festival and the Busan Biennale. Whether you are interested in history, nature, art, or cuisine, Busan has something for everyone.