Ahead of the June 3rd presidential election, major candidates are announcing pledges related to the maritime and fisheries sector one after another. Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate, has centered his pledges on stabilizing fishermen's income and transferring the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, whereas Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party candidate, is focusing on expanding the national fleet and adding value to the marine industry.
◇ Lee Jae-myung: “Preventing the extinction of fishing villages through increased fishermen's income… Transfer the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan”
Candidate Lee Jae-myung has set forth key pledges aimed at improving the quality of life through increased fishermen's income and addressing the extinction of fishing villages. He pledged to increase the public welfare payments for the fishing industry and expand the recipients and levels to raise fishermen's income, while also promising to address labor issues in fishing villages by inducing foreign seamen to stay long-term.
Lee also promised to strengthen the export competitiveness of Korea's seafood and enhance the competitiveness of promising export and non-export species by expanding support. In addition, he pledged to promote regional economic revitalization by fostering new marine industries such as marine bio, leisure tourism, and startup investment, as well as creating experiential vacation villages. He also proposed providing stable income bases for communities actively participating in carbon-neutral activities, such as sea gardens and energy self-reliant villages.
Thus far, the most notable aspect of Lee’s pledges related to maritime and fisheries is the ‘transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan’. He has previously stated, “To transform Korea into a maritime nation, I will transfer the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan.” However, there is opposition within the ministry, raising concerns that such a transfer could hinder cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the National Assembly, thereby adversely affecting budget procurement. Sejong City opposes citing “a reversal of administrative capital” and Incheon City opposes due to “neglect of Incheon Port.”
Candidate Lee's associated pledges, including the transfer of HMM to Busan and the establishment of a maritime court, are also generating debate about their feasibility. Although Lee has mentioned these pledges verbally, they were not included in his 21st presidential election policy book.
◇ Kim Moon-soo: “Expanding national fleet, supporting fishery workers, realizing high value-added marine and fishery industries”
Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party candidate, has proposed three major innovation strategies for the maritime and fisheries sector. These include preparing against supply chain risks through a security maritime strategy, securing technological competitiveness through eco-friendly maritime industrialization, and improving the quality of life in fishing villages and ports by developing welfare-oriented coasts.
In the maritime sector, Kim has pledged to significantly expand the national fleet capable of transporting strategic materials to counter supply chain risks. Additionally, he plans to implement an artificial intelligence (AI)-based port logistics system, create a maritime education infrastructure, and promote the integration of three-dimensional transportation networks. He has also proposed fostering the shipowner industry to structurally expand the maritime industry.
In the fisheries sector, Kim promised to conduct large-scale reduction projects to counter the decline in fishery resources due to climate change and to comprehensively review regulations based on Total Allowable Catch (TAC). He vowed to lower loan interest rates for fishing business management funds and expand insurance premium support for fishing vessels and fishermen, while also promoting mandatory subscription to vessel insurance. Additional key pledges include the spread of smart aquaculture, rapid passage of the three fishing laws, expansion of fishing area operations, and allowance of night fishing operations.
Candidate Kim also pledged to transform the maritime and fisheries industries into high value-added sectors. Proposed methods include fostering an AI-based marine information industry, building catch and resource prediction systems, and integrating support for the entire process of the marine bio-materials industry and seafood products. His pledges also include attracting data centers and urban air mobility (UAM) to harbor sites.
To reinforce the maritime and fisheries sector, candidate Kim promised to revamp the public administration system. Plans include reinstating the Office of the Secretary for Maritime Affairs and installing a National Ocean Committee within the presidential office to strengthen policy coordination functions. He also pledged to provide better judicial services to the public through the establishment of a maritime court and proposed additional pledges such as creating a Marine Environment Agency to address marine waste management and establishing a Korea Tourism Promotion Corporation for island tourism and fishing industry development.