Lee Jae-myung, a candidate for the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential primary, said on the 18th, "I will make Busan the center of a true maritime power," and announced plans to transfer the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan. He also noted that he would complete a GTX-level metropolitan transportation network to realize the 'BuGyeong area 30-minute living zone.' This strategy targets Busan, where the Democratic Party suffered a crushing defeat of '17 to 1' during the last general election.
On the same day, Lee Jae-myung's campaign chairperson, Yoon Ho-jung, held a press conference at the National Assembly to announce these promises for the Yeongnam region. In addition to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, he said that he would promote the transfer of public institutions related to shipping and logistics, and establish a maritime law court.
Chairperson Yoon noted, "Through the transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, we will secure the execution power of advanced marine industry policies such as shipbuilding, logistics, and the development of Arctic shipping routes," and announced plans to attract the headquarters and R&D centers of domestic and foreign shipping and logistics conglomerates to Busan.
As for transportation pledges, he presented plans for the early opening of the double-track railway between Bujeon Station and Masan Station, support for the construction of the Busan-Yangsan-Ulsan Line, which is a leading project for metropolitan railways outside the capital area, and a gradual expansion of the underground railway at Busan Station.
Chairperson Yoon said, "We will elevate Bujeon Station as the central station of the southeastern region and cultivate it as a railway hub connecting the Jungang Line, Donghae Line, Gyeongjeon Line, and the Gadeok New Airport," and noted that "we will reduce the burden on users by restructuring the private business of the geomdaegyo and machangdaegyo, which have high toll burdens."