The Chinese city of Shanghai, which last year overtook Kaohsiung as the world's fourth-largest port (after Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea's Pusan), saw traffic rise by an almost-as-impressive 35.6%.

ECONOMIST: On a roll

Samsung's first cars rolled off the Pusan line in March 1998, just as recession was settling into South Korea and stifling consumer spending of all kinds.

CNN: THE BIG DEAL THAT FAILED

And, as if more proof were needed that Korea aspires to become a player on the global screen scene, the first Pusan International Film Festival, last August, displayed some of the trappings normally associated with major movie celebrations in the West.

CNN: CINEMA