Lee Jae Myung Orders Completion of Ministry Relocation to Busan by December
National Policy Planning Committee Urges Swift Action and Expanded R&D Investment
The National Policy Planning Committee announced on the 24th that it had reached a consensus on the urgent need to improve the unstable research environment and weakened trust resulting from cuts to the research and development (R&D) budget. Regarding the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, the committee requested a review and report on "plans for prompt relocation through leasing and other means."
President Lee Jae Myung is shaking hands with Kwon Ki Heung, chairman of the H Line Shipping Maritime Workers' Union, after signing the Marine Capital Busan agreement in Seomyeon, Busanjin-gu, Busan on the 14th of last month during this presidential election. Photo by Yonhap News
Cho Seungrae, spokesperson for the National Policy Planning Committee, stated at a regular briefing held that afternoon at the Changseong-dong annex of the Government Complex Seoul, "The committee agreed on the need for stable and expanded investment in the R&D budget to restore basic research and the weakened research ecosystem."
This was discussed at the emergency policy meeting on R&D budget allocation held by the committee that day. The meeting gathered opinions on expanding AI investment to establish a foundation for growth?a key pledge of the Lee Jae Myung administration?along with significantly increasing support for young science and technology personnel, expanding the stable research and development budget, and creating future growth engines led by technology.
Spokesperson Cho said, "At this meeting, the committee raised concerns about the 2026 national research and development project budget allocation and adjustment plan, which was scheduled to be finalized at the end of this month in line with the previous administration's budget direction by the National Science and Technology Advisory Council." He added, "We decided to request the inclusion of the new administration's budget direction in the plan."
Regarding the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' relocation to Busan, he explained, "At today's policy briefing by the Economic Subcommittee 2, we requested that, in addition to the plan to relocate after the completion of a new government building in Busan, the ministry review and report on options for prompt relocation through leasing and other means."
Spokesperson Cho elaborated, "Usually, when an agency relocates, there are options for immediate or phased relocation. If you design and construct a new building, it takes three to four years, but if you lease, rapid relocation becomes possible. We requested a concrete report on rapid relocation options, and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is preparing a proposal in agreement with this approach." However, he clarified, "There was no specific discussion regarding the relocation of HMM's headquarters."
Previously, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries had reported to Economic Subcommittee 2 last week, but was asked to report again due to reasons such as insufficient understanding of President Lee Jae Myung's campaign pledges.
The relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan was a campaign pledge made by President Lee Jae Myung during his candidacy. Some observers predict that the relocation will accelerate, as Jeon Jae Soo, the only incumbent lawmaker from Busan in the Democratic Party, has been nominated as the first Minister of Oceans and Fisheries in the Lee administration. On this day, President Lee instructed at a Cabinet meeting that the relocation of the ministry to Busan be completed by December.
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