On the 14th, Jeon Jae-soo, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries nominee, emphasized that "the principle of proportional response must be upheld" regarding China's installation of large structures in the Yellow Sea temporary measures zone (PMZ).
During the personnel hearing of the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans, and Fisheries Committee of the National Assembly that day, when People Power Party lawmaker Jo Kyung-tae asked about the illegal installation of Chinese structures in the Yellow Sea and possible responses, Jeon responded accordingly. The National Assembly passed a resolution condemning China's installation of large structures in the Yellow Sea PMZ on the 3rd, with 252 votes in favor and 7 abstentions out of 259 attendees.
When lawmaker Jo asked her to share the Minister nominee's stance on the matter, Jeon said, "I also voted in favor in the National Assembly plenary session, and I believe the principle of proportional response must be maintained."
She added, "We have strongly protested to China regarding these facilities and requested their removal, but no visible actions have been taken," and said, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries need to work well together to resolve this matter efficiently."
Lawmaker Jo pointed out, "I had hoped that the response budget would be reflected in the supplementary budget, but it was cut in the supplementary budget and only the research budget was included," adding, "If I become Minister, it is crucial to secure the budget as a former politician and make it a key issue." In response, Jeon said, "I will do my best. I will deliver tangible results."
Lawmaker Jo further noted, "The United States, Japan, the Philippines, and Australia have recently declared a joint response to curb China's maritime expansion in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and Korea's absence from this has heightened concerns about maritime sovereignty." In response, Jeon stated, "Even if the main departments may be the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, everything floating on and traversing under the sea must be handled by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries."