On the 25th, Jeon Jae-soo, the Minister nominee of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, “We will transfer the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan this year.”
The nominee met with reporters at Post Tower in Mapo District, Seoul, on the same day and said, “We will make Busan a strategic base and create a maritime powerhouse,” adding, “We will reignite the fading engines of growth and equip ourselves with new growth engines.”
He noted, “Currently, Seoul and the metropolitan area are precariously flying with only one growth engine, and the potential growth rate is in the 0% range,” emphasizing, “We will overcome the unipolar system and create another metropolitan area to ensure sustainable growth.”
The nominee announced that he would push for the transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan this year according to President Lee Jae-myung's directives. He stated, “I will also listen to various voices from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries members,” but made it clear that he would not consider some suggested transfers or phased transfer methods raised both inside and outside the ministry.
Regarding the policy of 'transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries this year,' he explained, “Currently, the United States, Russia, China, Japan, and others are moving quickly to establish Arctic shipping routes and are sending empty containers through the Arctic shipping routes,” noting, “This reflects the president's strong will to accelerate our efforts to lead in Arctic route development.”
He added, “To maximize synergy, we need to consolidate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, which oversees administrative functions, a specialized maritime court overseeing judicial functions, competitive shipping companies, and financial institutions capable of investing.” This implies that HMM and the specialized maritime court should also be located in Busan.
He emphasized, “We should not merely transfer the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, but strengthen its functions, roles, and status,” stating, “To lead in the Arctic route, we need to integrate maritime and industrial policies into one.”
He said, “The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is in charge of the shipbuilding and marine plant sector, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is developing port hinterland infrastructure, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety is responsible for tourism in inhabited islands,” and emphasized, “We should facilitate inter-ministerial consultations and reorganize based on functions and roles.”