Jeon Jae-soo, the Minister candidate for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said that the direct expense for the transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan would be between 20 billion won and 30 billion won.
On the 14th, during a personnel hearing for the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries held at the National Assembly, the candidate noted, "The transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan is a plan envisioned as a growth strategy and development strategy for Korea," adding, "The goal is to achieve sustainable growth through a multipolar system."
When asked by Representative Kim Seon-kyo of the People Power Party, "Isn't the transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries a political tool?" he rebutted, "I believe there is no one in Korea who would use the transfer of the central government as a political tool."
In response to the concerns raised by Representative Jo Kyung-tae of the People Power Party that "the polar route goes through the Russian coast to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, but there are no European countries among Korea's top 10 export countries," he said, "We do not know how things will be in 5 or 10 years."
Regarding the observation by Representative Kim Seon-kyo of the People Power Party that "86% of the members of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries oppose it," he said, "I will communicate with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries employees to address issues related to housing conditions, education, and transportation expenses."
He also stated that not only a simple transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan is necessary, but also the strengthening of functions such as expanding operations and introducing a Vice Minister system.
The candidate emphasized, "If the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's shipbuilding, maritime, and plant functions are transferred to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and if marine policy and industrial policy do not align, the synergetic effect of the transfer could be diminished," adding, "It is very important to amend the Government Organization Act to introduce a Vice Minister system."
Addressing the issue of integrating the island-related policy functions spread across five ministries, he said, "I feel the need for integration quite urgently" and added, "I will do my best to work well with the relevant agencies to come up with the most optimal plan."