Lee Jae Myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, who visited Busan again on the 14th, 69 days after his meeting with Busan Mayor Park Hyungjun in March, declared, "I will make Korea a maritime powerhouse through K-shipbuilding." He plans to actively appeal to voters in the Yeongnam region by presenting the development of the maritime industry as a core agenda, including the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the pioneering of the Arctic Sea route.
Lee Jae Myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, is visiting the UN Memorial Park in Namgu, Busan on the 14th and looking around the War Dead Memorial Tower. Photo by Yonhap News
On the morning of the same day, Lee announced his shipbuilding policy via social networking services (SNS), stating, "For the shipbuilding industry to take another leap forward amid the major trends of the climate crisis and digital transformation, a sustainable growth strategy is essential." He added, "I will make shipbuilding one of the five key strategies for future development and transform Korea into a leading maritime powerhouse beyond a shipbuilding powerhouse."
His pledges include: ▲securing a lead in the smart, eco-friendly future ship market ▲promoting the wind-powered ship market as an 'energy highway' ▲advancing ship manufacturing systems ▲strengthening the competitiveness of small and medium-sized shipbuilders ▲reinforcing new growth engines such as special-purpose shipbuilding and the MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) market.
After finishing his schedule in Busan, Lee will hold a YouTube live broadcast on a bus heading to Gyeongnam, discussing the 'Arctic Sea route from Busan Port' with Kim Taeyu, professor emeritus of industrial engineering at Seoul National University. Kim Kyungsoo, former governor of Gyeongnam and Lee's rival during the party's primary, is also accompanying Lee on this Yeongnam campaign tour to lend his support.
The Democratic Party has presented regional pledges for the Yeongnam area, including: ▲relocating the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan ▲establishing a specialized maritime court ▲attracting domestic and international shipping and logistics companies ▲building a maritime R&D center. The party's central election committee held an inauguration ceremony for the 'Arctic Sea Route Development Promotion Committee' at the Busan City Council the previous day, forming dedicated task forces for each pledge to demonstrate their commitment to implementing these policies.
Yun Hojoong, chief of the Democratic Party's election campaign headquarters, stated at a headquarters meeting on the 13th, "Surpassing all differences, candidate Lee Jae Myung, who is supported by the people, will build a 'mega tent' for growth and recovery that encompasses all of Korea, by uniting more deeply and broadly with everyone except for the handful of vested interests in the extreme right-wing rebellion cartel."
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