Next Year’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Total Expenditure Increases by 1.4% to 6.7 Trillion Won... Focused Investment on Revitalizing Marine Living Zones

2025 Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Budget Proposal
Focused Investment in Revitalizing Fishing Villages
96.2 Billion KRW → 225.7 Billion KRW

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' budget proposal for 2025 has increased by 1.4% compared to the 2024 main budget. Including the climate response fund projects under the ministry's jurisdiction, the budget for the marine and fisheries sector stands at 6.8641 trillion KRW, marking a 2.3% increase.

According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on the 2nd, next year's budget proposal was set at 6.7837 trillion KRW, an increase of 95.8 billion KRW from this year's budget of 6.6879 trillion KRW. About half of this, 3.1874 trillion KRW, is allocated to fisheries and fishing village sectors, which is a 2.2% increase from the previous year. Additionally, 2.085 trillion KRW (+2.3%) is allocated to shipping and port sectors, 952.3 billion KRW (-3.7%) to logistics and other sectors, 345.9 billion KRW (+3.1%) to marine environment, and 213.1 billion KRW (+2.3%) to science and technology research support.

The fisheries and fishing village budget is primarily focused on the ‘Fishing Village New Vitality Promotion Project,’ which aims to expand the economic and living infrastructure of fishing villages. This budget has been significantly increased to 225.7 billion KRW from 96.2 billion KRW this year. The project also includes the development of representative attractions that specialize in the unique charm of coastal areas and concentrate marine leisure tourism functions, with the Complex Marine Leisure Tourism City project (2 locations, newly allocated 2 billion KRW) being promoted.

The ministry explained that many projects included in the ‘Fishing Village and Coastal Vitality Enhancement Plan’ announced last May to prevent the disappearance of fishing villages due to population decline and aging have been reflected in the budget. To encourage young people to settle in fishing villages, 5 billion KRW will be invested to establish leased land-based aquaculture complexes incorporating smart technology. Additionally, 3 billion KRW will be invested in the Youth Return-to-Fishing Comprehensive Town, a residential complex linked to fishing village jobs.

The budget to strengthen marine and fisheries competitiveness focuses on structural improvement. Following fishermen’s requests at the March public discussion to regularly collect illegal fishing gear from China, 3 billion KRW will be invested to establish a system for the continuous removal of illegal gear using decommissioned vessels. To enhance aquaculture competitiveness, 48.8 billion KRW will be allocated to aquaculture and 4.7 billion KRW to seed industry.

Support for promising companies to ensure sustainable growth in marine and fisheries industries will also be expanded. Specifically, 3 billion KRW has been allocated to support the commercialization of promising marine technologies such as marine environment and bio sectors. To expand seafood exports, 231.5 billion KRW has been budgeted to strengthen financial, infrastructure, and marketing support. To ensure smooth implementation of smart port construction at Busan Port, Jinhae New Port, and the establishment of regional hub ports, 1.39 trillion KRW will be invested to enhance the competitiveness of port and logistics industries. Additionally, 1.1 billion KRW will be invested in a pilot project for the normalized distribution network of duty-free ship fuel by supplying ship fuel in measured quantities.

For stable management of seafood supply and demand, 327.8 billion KRW will be invested. Distribution channels will be shortened through online wholesale markets and direct transactions, and 6 billion KRW has been allocated for the development of a seaweed land-based aquaculture system to ensure stable supply of seaweed, which has recently seen high international demand. Furthermore, 192.8 billion KRW will be invested to expand mandatory enrollment in fishermen’s accident compensation insurance from the current vessels over 3 tons to all vessels.

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships and develop energy-saving aquaculture system technologies, 75.5 billion KRW will be invested in green technology development for low-carbon marine and fisheries sectors. Additionally, 2.8 billion KRW has been allocated to the climate response fund and the integrated management system for climate change monitoring and prediction. To prepare for extreme climate disasters, 87.2 billion KRW will be provided to strengthen the safety of ports and fishing harbors and to expand maintenance of vulnerable coastal areas.

Kang Do-hyung, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, stated, “While implementing expenditure efficiency for sound fiscal management, we have reflected various new projects in the 2025 government budget proposal to solve the pressing issues facing the marine and fisheries industry, revitalize marine living areas, and realize a dynamic economy.” He added, “We will continue to fully listen to voices from the field to support livelihood stability and the era of local autonomy.”