Busan Meets Malaysia — A Mirror Beyond Bridges, Markets And Murals

By Harizah Hanim Mohamed

BUSAN, Aug 31 (Bernama) -- Busan’s bustling Jagalchi Fish Market, with sellers wooing visitors with friendly smiles and calling out “Malaysia! Murah! Murah! Sannakji! Sannakji! (live octopus), reminding me of keropok lekor sellers in Pasar Payang in Terengganu.

There are more similarities between Busan and Malaysia than we realise, from the thick, salty air and humid summer weather to the current temperature of 29 degrees Celsius. Sometimes, I can’t tell whether I’m in Langkawi, Penang, or even Terengganu. 

The colourful hills of Busan’s Gamcheon Culture Village also mirror Penang’s George Town. Both cities are living galleries, where vibrant street art fills narrow lanes while preserving the core spirit of local communities.

They show how culture survives modernisation, painted on wall murals and woven into everyday life.

Beyond markets and murals, the sea itself binds Busan and Malaysia, as both are deeply tied to the sea, which feeds and shapes the identities of their people.

Malaysia thrives with sea life in the background, its status as a maritime nation defined by international shipping routes that link the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Busan, meanwhile, is South Korea’s busiest port and, as of 2025, the sixth-largest container port in the world.

When we speak of development, both Busan’s Gwangan Bridge and Malaysia’s Penang Bridge stand tall as iconic man-made structures, symbolising connection — not just physically, but also economically and culturally.

Yet while there is so much in common, language brings me back to reality. I am roughly 4,542 km to 4,612 km away from Kuala Lumpur.

Signing off from Busan and coming back to enjoy some keropok lekor! Kamsahamnida!

-- BERNAMA