Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, noted on the 3rd, "I will make fishing villages an opportunity for the future," as he announced a promise to revitalize the fishing industry.
The candidate announced the fishing industry revitalization promise via Facebook that morning, stating, "The crisis of disappearance of fishing villages is quickening," and emphasized that "extraordinary measures are necessary for creating a pleasant and vibrant fishing village."
He stated that he would first promote increased income for fishermen and improve living conditions, and indicated plans to raise the fishery public subsidy paid to small-scale fishers.
He also mentioned that he would expand the budget for the seafood corporations voucher and the seafood leading organization development projects to enhance the export competitiveness of seafood, and strengthen support for processing facilities and seafood self-funding.
He proposed to develop the marine bioindustry and expand the leisure tourism industry to create new growth engines for fishing villages, as well as to develop multi-complex marine tourism cities by region and establish marinas and leisure vessel clusters.
The candidate stated, "I will expand the specialization of fishing experience and resort villages and support entrepreneurship utilizing fishing village resources to revitalize the local economy."
Secondly, he promised that he would foster a sustainable fishing industry to respond to the climate crisis, saying, "I will widen the coverage of disaster insurance for aquaculture and push for the normalization of compensation amounts."
He pledged to promote an increase in support funds for fishing vessel closures and to expand support for the industry conversion of aquaculture workers who are closing their businesses.
In addition, he stated, "I will actively support the influx of youth into fishing villages," announcing plans to broaden the support targets for the fishing village settlement support project and to review an increase in the settlement support amount.
He pledged to expand the fishing vessel rental business to reduce the burden of initial settlement expenses such as fishing vessel rental fees, and to promote support for gear purchase expenses, fishing vessel and fishery education, mentoring, and insurance premium support to strengthen youth capabilities.