Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-hyung: "HMM Resale, Discussing Timing and Method with Related Ministries"

Lunch Meeting with Sejong City Press Corps on the 14th

Gang Do-hyeong, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, stated on the 14th that "we are discussing the timing and methods with related ministries" regarding the re-sale of HMM (formerly Hyundai Merchant Marine).

Minister Gang made these remarks during a luncheon meeting with the press corps in Sejong City, held for the first time since his inauguration. He said, "After the recent public livelihood forum, during the follow-up briefing, I mentioned that when the time comes, I would fully explain the methods for re-selling HMM, but it was reported negatively as if there were no plans."

At the briefing of the public livelihood forum on the 7th, Minister Gang had only responded, "There is currently no plan for the re-sale of HMM," adding, "Since HMM is a company funded by national finances, we are developing plans to ensure it operates soundly."

Gang Do-hyeong, nominee for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, is responding to questions from lawmakers at the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 19th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Minister Gang said that measures such as releasing government stockpiles and discount events will continue to stabilize seafood prices. He stated, "I believe the seafood consumer price index is within a stable range," but also announced plans to increase the supply of squid, whose price has risen sharply due to a drastic drop in catch volume. Minister Gang said, "We will promptly import distant-water squid to stabilize prices," adding, "Distant-water squid will arrive in April, but March is the problematic period."

Regarding the strategy to address the disappearance of fishing villages, he said, "It contains the concepts of livelihood stability and balanced development," and added, "From a policy perspective, we are making efforts to incorporate the opinions of local residents and settlers to ensure effective policies."

On fishing vessel accidents, he described the situation as "serious," stating, "We will first manage the accident and then take time to provide detailed countermeasures." In the early morning of the same day, a fishing vessel sank off the coast of Tongyeong, Gyeongnam, resulting in three deaths and one missing person. Additionally, on the 9th, a fishing vessel accident off Tongyeong caused four deaths and five missing persons, marking a series of recent fishing vessel accidents.