Chungnam Provincial Council Adopts Resolution Opposing Relocation of Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan

Urging the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Remain in Sejong City
for the Completion of the Administrative Capital

Chungnam Provincial Council adopted a resolution opposing the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan and urged it to remain in Sejong City. Photo by Chungnam Provincial Council

On June 24, at the fourth plenary session of its 359th regular meeting, the Chungnam Provincial Council adopted a resolution opposing the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan. The resolution was proposed by Councilor Jeong Gwangseop (Taean 2, People Power Party).

This resolution was adopted in response to the recent directive from the President at a Cabinet meeting to expedite the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ relocation to Busan. The council declared that such a move would clearly undermine balanced national development and the completion of Sejong City as the administrative capital, and expressed its strong determination to respond at the council level.

Councilor Jeong stated, "The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is a central administrative agency that was relocated to Sejong City in 2013 as part of policies to alleviate overpopulation in the capital region and promote balanced national development. Since then, it has played a significant role in strengthening administrative functions in the central region and in efficiently advancing marine policies."

He continued, "Chungnam is an area where the marine and fisheries industries are active along the west coast, including Taean, Boryeong, Seosan, Seocheon, and Hongseong. As accessibility to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has improved, local fishermen and workers have highly valued the administrative convenience and policy effectiveness. In this context, relocating the ministry to a specific region constitutes unfair administration that would cause administrative neglect of the Chungcheong region and the west coast."

He also pointed out, "Completing Sejong City as the administrative capital is not merely a task for the Chungcheong region, but a national future strategy and a promise to the people. Any relocation plan that undermines the concentration of administrative agencies will inevitably lead to administrative inefficiency and a decline in policy connectivity."

Through this resolution, the council called on the government to: clearly keep the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in Sejong City and focus on ensuring equitable marine administration nationwide; pursue policies based on public consensus and genuine administrative efficiency, rather than political considerations; and immediately withdraw the plan to relocate the ministry to Busan.

Councilor Jeong emphasized, "Marine and fisheries policies should be comprehensively promoted with consideration for national, not regional, needs. The Chungnam Provincial Council will continue its efforts for the development of the Chungcheong region and the west coast, as well as for the completion of Sejong City as the administrative capital."

Meanwhile, the Chungnam Provincial Council plans to deliver the resolution opposing the ministry’s relocation to the National Assembly, the Presidential Office, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and other relevant agencies.