Ministerial Candidate Kang Do-hyung for Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries: "Full Effort for Stabilizing Seafood Prices and Radiation Safety Management"

Opening Remarks at the National Assembly Confirmation Hearing

Kang Do-hyung, the nominee for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, stated on the 19th, "We will make every effort to stabilize seafood prices and manage radiation safety."

At the National Assembly confirmation hearing that day, Kang said, "We will mobilize all available means such as discount events, stockpiling, and purchasing to prevent a decline in seafood consumption while also managing prices."

He assessed that the domestic and international environment surrounding the oceans and fisheries sector is challenging. Kang said, "The economic situation remains difficult due to high inflation, high interest rates, and low growth, and with the added uncertainty of the global economy, it is not easy to predict the future. Fishing villages are facing the risk of extinction beyond aging, and the public’s expectations for the safety of the sea and seafood are rising day by day," expressing concern.

Kang emphasized his commitment to creating added value in the oceans and fisheries sector. He said, "We will establish a comprehensive support system that improves not only infrastructure in fishing villages but also housing, income, and living standards, making them vibrant fishing communities that attract people back. Additionally, we will establish a sustainable fishery structure through scientific resource management policies, and make aquaculture processing and distribution facilities eco-friendly and smart to further enhance the competitiveness of the seafood industry."

He also identified fostering a globally competitive shipping industry and rapidly developing advanced port infrastructure as future tasks. Kang explained, "We will provide tailored support to assist liquidity for small and medium-sized shipping companies so that our shipping industry can withstand recessions. We will swiftly build state-of-the-art automated ports and timely expand port logistics infrastructure to firmly establish our position as a logistics hub in Northeast Asia."

He announced a policy to focus on nurturing new marine industries. Kang said, "We will support the cruise, marine healing, and marina industries to create high added value through leisure, develop regional hub infrastructure, and activate the coastal economy through complex marine leisure tourism cities. We will also diligently discover and foster new marine and fisheries industries such as digital maritime traffic information systems, marine energy, and marine bio, which are emerging as next-generation growth engines."

Gang Do-hyeong, nominee for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, is responding to reporters' questions as he arrives at the hearing preparation office set up at the Seoul branch of the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the 7th. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@