National Policy Planning Committee: "Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Must Relocate to Busan Promptly"

President Lee Jaemyung Also Calls for Relocation to Busan Within This Year
Considering Not Only New Government Building Completion but Also Leasing Options

The National Policy Planning Committee, which serves as the transition team for President Lee Jaemyung, urged the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on June 24 to expedite its relocation to Busan during a briefing session. The relocation of the ministry to Busan is one of President Lee's campaign pledges. On this day, President Lee also instructed Minister Kang Dohyung of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to review whether the relocation could be pursued within this year.

On the same day, the Economic Division 2 planning and expert members of the National Policy Planning Committee stated, "Regarding the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, we requested a report not only on the plan to relocate after the completion of the new government building, but also on options for an expedited move through leasing or other means. We also asked for a detailed roadmap regarding the Arctic shipping route," they said.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries reported on several topics: fostering a base for advancing into the Arctic shipping route, promoting the relocation of the ministry to Busan, measures for the timely and orderly implementation of offshore wind power, fisheries innovation to address climate change, expansion of core shipping assets and supply chain stabilization, and measures to reduce maritime accidents and strengthen safety management.

Meanwhile, the previous day, President Lee nominated Jeon Jaesoo, a Democratic Party lawmaker from Busan, as the candidate for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries in his first cabinet appointments. During the last presidential election, candidate Jeon served as the head of the 'Arctic Shipping Route Development Committee' within the Democratic Party's campaign headquarters, overseeing policies related to the Arctic shipping route, which was one of the tailored policies for the Busan-Gyeongnam (PK) region.