"What About Our Children's Schools and Housing?"... 86% of MOF Employees Oppose Relocation to Busan and Here’s Why [Government Affairs In]

88.9% of Employees Cite "Negative Impact on Family Life" in Survey
Concerns Grow Over Children's Education, Housing, and Parental Care
"Opposed to Relocation to Busan... At Least 2-3 Years of Preparation Needed"

"My daughter is a high school junior this year, and I'm worried that transferring to a school in Busan could put her at a disadvantage for her university admissions. We still have more than a year left on our lease in Sejong, so I would have to find an officetel in Busan just for myself. My wife and I talk every day about what to do, but it's so frustrating that all we can do is sigh."

As the Lee Jaemyung administration pushes for the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) to Busan, concerns and dissatisfaction are erupting within the ministry. Employees with children in middle or high school are worried about their children's schooling, while those with ongoing lease contracts find it difficult to secure housing in Busan immediately, heightening their concerns about housing issues.

These concerns among employees are also reflected in the results of a staff survey conducted by the MOF labor union. The union surveyed employees about the Busan relocation from May 21 to 27, and 86.1% of respondents opposed the move. The primary reason for opposition was "negative impact on family life." Of the 631 respondents, 81% expressed concern that the relocation to Busan would adversely affect their family life, specifically child-rearing, housing, and marital relationships.

In particular, regarding whether families would move together if the MOF relocates to Busan, only 12.7% said they would move at the time of relocation. Only 5.1% said they would move within a year after the relocation, and 1.9% said they would move within two to three years. The remaining 80.3% said they had no plans to move. This means that if the MOF relocates to Busan, most employees will inevitably become weekend commuters, living alone in Busan.

Jang Jongman, Secretary General of the MOF labor union, stated, "When we previously relocated to Sejong, it was physically possible to commute from Seoul or Gwacheon to Sejong, but commuting between Busan and Sejong is impossible. During the Sejong relocation, families could move after a period of commuting and adjustment, but moving to Busan would mean a complete separation."

In addition to concerns about children's schooling and housing, employees who care for their parents are also worried. One MOF employee said, "My ailing mother lives alone in Imsil, North Jeolla Province. My older brother looks after her during the week, and I visit her on weekends. If I have to move to Busan, I don't know how much time I'll have to visit my mother."

MOF employees expressed that they need at least some physical time to prepare for the relocation to Busan. Another MOF employee said, "After the move from Gwacheon to Sejong, I lived as a weekend commuter for a while, and only recently did my family move to Sejong. If I have to move to Busan, I'll only be able to see my children on weekends again. To resolve issues related to children's schooling and education, housing, and to be able to focus on work, we need at least two to three years to prepare."

The MOF labor union is voicing opposition to the relocation to Busan. In a statement released on June 10, the union said, "National agendas that Busan aims to pursue, such as the development of the Arctic route, eco-friendly ships and energy, and expanded R&D investment, cannot be resolved simply by changing the location of an agency," making clear its opposition to the move.

Yoon Byungchul, head of the MOF labor union, said, "The MOF is not only responsible for shipping and logistics policies but also oversees fisheries and the marine environment. I wonder if the relocation to Busan means we should only handle logistics or only take care of the local seas around Busan. For policy implementation, close coordination with related ministries such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Ministry of Science and ICT is essential. If we move away from Sejong, such policy coordination will inevitably face structural limitations."