"More Opinions Needed and Further Deliberation Required"
On June 25, Kim Yongtae, the interim leader of the People Power Party, said, "There are concerns that the Lee Jaemyung administration is making the decision to relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries too hastily."
During a meeting with Daejeon Mayor Lee Jangwoo on the same day, Kim stated, "As the opposition party, we will strongly raise this issue," expressing his position.
Previously, President Lee Jaemyung instructed during a Cabinet meeting that the government should consider relocating the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, currently located in Sejong, to Busan within this year.
Kim emphasized, "A decision should be made only after listening to many citizens, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries officials, and related organizations, and after sufficient deliberation. Suddenly deciding to move the ministry to Busan just because the administration is in power will clearly have adverse effects, even from the perspective of administrative efficiency."
Kim also expressed concerns about the possible relocation of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, both located in Daejeon.
Kim stated, "As an engineer, I personally understand and recognize the significant functions, roles, and importance of government-funded research institutes. During a recent luncheon with the President, I also briefly discussed elevating the Minister of Science and ICT to the status of Deputy Prime Minister. I will do my part, together with local governments, to ensure that the status of science and technology is respected and reestablished."
Mayor Lee pointed out, "Relocating the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries from Sejong to Busan goes against the principle of an administrative capital. It's not as if the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs needs to be moved to the Jeolla plains." He added, "Relocating the National Assembly and the presidential office to Sejong is more urgent than relocating the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries."
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