Busan City stated that it will maintain existing policies, including the transfer of the Industrial Bank of Korea headquarters to Busan, even after the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung government.
According to Yonhap News on the 9th, Mayor Park noted at a press conference that “it is true that the transfer of the Industrial Bank headquarters to Busan has become realistically difficult, but the idea that we might exchange a whale (the transfer of the Industrial Bank) for a tuna (Southeast Investment Bank) is very dangerous.”
He added, “The transfer of the Industrial Bank is not something that the Yoon Suk-yeol government is pursuing, but rather a matter that has been promised each time the issue of transferring public institutions arose during the Roh Moo-hyun, Lee Myung-bak, and Park Geun-hye administrations, and it was included in the second public institution transfer plan of the Moon Jae-in government.”
Mayor Park said, “The Southeast Investment Bank should be considered for establishment when it can play a policy financing role similar to that of the Industrial Bank, but I don't think we should simply trade the establishment of the Southeast Investment Bank for the abandonment of the Industrial Bank.” He added, “Busan has an obligation to continue the efforts it has made, so I believe there is no reason to give up the transfer of the Industrial Bank yet.”
Lee Jae-myung, during his presidential campaign, said, “I will push for the establishment of the Southeast Investment Bank (tentative name) in Busan, a marine capital,” and added, “This will not only move beyond the repeated discussions on the transfer of the Industrial Bank, which only escalate conflicts without progress, but also serve as an alternative that can practically support the marine industry finance and expand youth employment.”
Mayor Park mentioned, “The investment corporation model, which previously failed to secure funds through government bonds, is expected to be limited in practically available funds, mainly for in-kind investments,” and stated, “We have been pursuing the transfer of the Industrial Bank as a policy financing institution to promote regional growth throughout the southern regions, but we must be careful not to exchange a whale for a tuna.”
Mayor Park stated regarding the special law for global hub cities that, “If the opening of the Arctic route is an important task, then this law is indeed the most helpful legislation,” and added, “One can request a re-examination as a neutral bill for regional development or create a special law on the Arctic route and integrate it.”
Mayor Park emphasized that the key issues that Busan City considered important, namely the transfer of the Industrial Bank and the legislation of the special law for global hub cities, should not be exchanged for other commitments, and stated, “In the future, I will directly explain this to the National Assembly and the Central-Local Cooperation Council, as well as to the President.”
He mentioned regarding the transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries that “if only the ministry is transferred, there may be internal inefficiencies, and if related maritime institutions come along, there will be synergy,” and stated, “I will do my best in providing administrative support at the city level for the site or staff of the ministry.”