'Starting with On-site Management'... Song Sang-geun, 8th President of Busan Port Authority, Inaugurated

Inauguration Ceremony Held at 2 p.m. on February 10

Song Sang-geun, the newly appointed president of Busan Port Authority, held an inauguration ceremony at 2 p.m. on the 10th in the main auditorium on the 2nd floor of the BPA headquarters and officially began his duties.

The new BPA President Song Sang-geun and executives visited the North Port Sinsundae Pier immediately after the inauguration ceremony. Provided by Busan Port Authority

Before the inauguration ceremony, President Song started his first on-site management activities. He visited Busan Port New Port Pier 7 and tenant companies in the hinterland complex to listen to their concerns and interests regarding the expansion of automated terminal infrastructure.

Song Sang-geun, originally from Haman, Gyeongnam, graduated from Jinju Dongmyeong High School and Seoul National University with a degree in Economics. He completed a master's degree in Shipping Management at Korea Maritime and Ocean University and finished his doctoral coursework at the same university's graduate school.

President Song entered public service in 1992 by passing the 36th Administrative Examination. He has held key positions such as Director of Port Logistics at Busan Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office, Director of Private Investment Planning, Director of Port Logistics Planning at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and spokesperson for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. He also gained international experience as Minister-Counselor at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United Kingdom through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He later served as Director-General of the Marine Policy Office at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and was Vice Minister of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries until June 2023. His term as BPA president is three years, lasting until February 2028.

In his inaugural address, President Song pledged, “To achieve Busan Port Authority’s vision of becoming a ‘high value-added global integrated port with world-class competitiveness,’ we will pursue three major strategies: early establishment of a smart port system to maximize global competitiveness, leap forward as a high value-added integrated port, and implement port management that coexists with the local community.”

He also emphasized leading communication and cooperation with Busan Port customers and stakeholders, stating, “We will attentively listen to the voices from domestic and international shipping lines, operators, logistics companies, as well as the stevedores’ union, and approach sincerely and act swiftly so that people can genuinely feel that Busan Port is improving and becoming more accessible.”

Externally, he said, “We will strengthen communication with the government, local governments, the National Assembly, and the media, coordinating opinions in advance on major issues to realize flexible yet proactive port management.”

Finally, to the executives and staff, he stressed, “It is time to transform into a capable, flexible, and agile performance-driven organization by focusing on field-centered management to achieve the vision, providing customer-centered services, and further strengthening global capabilities.” He urged, “We must continue our passion and sincerity for work based on establishing a clean organizational discipline,” showing strong determination for the three-year journey ahead.

After the inauguration ceremony, President Song continued his on-site management by visiting Busan Port North Port Sinsundae Pier. After listening to opinions from the field, he inspected the current status of on-site safety management and encouraged the field personnel.

At Bukhang Sinsundae Pier, Song Sang-geun, President of Busan Port Authority (right), attentively listens to the explanation by Lee Jeong-haeng, CEO of Busan Port Terminal. Photo by Busan Port Authority

Since its opening in June 1991, Busan Port North Port Sinsundae Pier has played a central role as a gateway for South Korea’s imports and exports and has significantly contributed to handling cargo volume at Busan Port North Port.