President Lee Jae-myung has directed the rapid preparation for the transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, causing unrest among the ministry's employees. According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Public Officials Union, 86% of all employees expressed opposition to the transfer to Busan. Employees are concerned not only about the personal burden caused by the sudden change of residence but also about the ministry's ability to effectively perform its functions as a central government body.
According to political circles on the 18th, President Lee proposed the transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan as one of his seven major pledges during the presidential election. He stated that by relocating the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the control tower of maritime policy, to Busan, the center of the maritime industry, he aims to strengthen collaboration among related agencies and maximize synergies. Additionally, he presented a vision to develop Busan as a global logistics hub and a center of finance and culture, as well as a pivotal city in the Arctic route era.
However, within the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, there is significant concern about practical issues and structural limitations that outweigh these expectations. The greatest worry among employees is the difficulty in securing budget.
Each ministry must actively explain and persuade the Ministry of Economy and Finance, as well as the National Assembly and the Blue House, regarding the feasibility of policies when preparing budgets each year. However, if the ministry relocates to Busan, close coordination with the Ministry of Economy and Finance and responding to sudden requests may become virtually impossible.
A certain official in the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries noted, "Even now, we often receive requests from the Ministry of Economy and Finance asking us to explain the budget 'today,' and if we are in Busan, immediate responses will be difficult," adding that "securing a budget will become even more challenging." Currently, the budget of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is only about 1% (670 billion won) of the total national budget.
In addition to concerns about reduced operational efficiency, diminished policy exposure, worries about budget waste, and declining quality of personnel, these are issues raised by the ministry's employees. A director stated, "With increased travel time, the number of 'Director Kim's' will only increase, and focus on work will decrease," adding that "if the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is solely located in Busan, media accessibility may diminish, reducing interest in policies." Another deputy director expressed concern, saying, "The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has been popular for its horizontal organizational culture and work-life balance, but if it relocates, it could decline into a 'ministry to avoid.'"
This is not the first discussion regarding the restructuring and transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Since its inception during the Kim Young-sam administration in 1996, the ministry has undergone organizational restructuring and transfer discussions every time there is a change in regime. The Roh Moo-hyun administration officially pursued the transfer to Busan but withdrew it, while the Lee Myung-bak administration abolished the ministry, which was later revived during the Park Geun-hye administration. Even during the Park Geun-hye administration, there were discussions about keeping the ministry in Busan, but in 2013, the ministry established its base in Sejong. Consequently, criticism has arisen that the current transfer is a waste of budget.
However, some employees mentioned, "Considering the greater good of regional revitalization, there are understandable aspects" and "though we may distance ourselves from the National Assembly and other administrative departments, it will likely become easier to work with marine public corporations." They said that transferring the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries could lead to the formation of industry, policy, and research clusters, making it possible to provide quick and realistic alternatives in cases of ship accidents, marine pollution, and in the fisheries sector.
The National Planning Commission is expected to thoroughly review the transfer plan for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries soon. For the ministry's move to Busan to yield positive results, there must also be measures in place to reduce the side effects mentioned by employees. There is hope that the National Planning Commission and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will collaborate to devise a good plan.