Overseas Chinese Elementary School Busan

Busan Overseas Chinese Elementary School was established in the late Qing dynasty/early Republic of China era; archival records were lost during the Korean War, so precise details are not known. In June 1950, the Korean War began, and the Chinese expatriate junior high school in Seoul sought refuge in Busan; after acting principal Chae Jin-sook resigned, the school faced heavy difficulties and nearly halted operations. In June 1951, after the graduation of the 39th class, embassy officials invited overseas Chinese leaders from across Korea to form a board, appointing Mr. Liu Qin as chair and dispatching Qi Jin-hong as executive principal; upon arrival, Qi organized more than 70 students from the 40th and 41st grades and selected a site at the foot of a hill (today the lower campus of Dong-A University in Busan) to resume classes, erecting five canvas shelters to continue schooling. Board members such as Wang Jia-mo also braved the arduous groundwork, and the staff and students carried on with great resolve.

The school's community participates in humanitarian and cultural activities that connect with overseas Chinese networks and Chinese cultural traditions. In April 2024, staff and students raised 1,335,000 won for Hualien earthquake relief, and the total with the Busan Overseas Chinese Kindergarten and Busan Overseas Chinese High School reached 3,396,020 won, which was handed to the Busan office of the Taipei Representative Office in Korea. In October 2023, students performed a diabolo routine at a National Day reception for the Republic of China hosted by the Taipei Representative Office in Busan. Since 2020, the school has run a calligraphy program and participates in annual Chinese character culture festival activities, with the former principal Li Weiren actively guiding calligraphy education and supplying practice materials that integrate the teachings of Di Zi Gui.

The school is governed by the Busan Overseas Chinese School Board of Directors (理事會), with Mr. Wang Xishan serving as president. The Board organizes language and culture initiatives, including the Chairman Cup Speech Contest, which offers substantial prize money and trophies to encourage student participation. The first Chairman Cup Speech Contest was held on September 16, with nine senior students presenting speeches on the theme 'My Future Dream' after extensive after-school practice and pronunciation refinement; judges included the Board president and other directors, plus the Consul General of the Taipei Representative Office in Busan, an Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission member, and the Busan Chinese Association president. The Board also oversees calligraphy education and fundraising efforts, reinforcing language, culture, and community service within the school's life.