Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Launch Full-Scale Efforts on Three Major National Initiatives: "Arctic Route, Fishing Village Innovation, Maritime Sovereignty"

Presenting a Vision for Korea as a Future Maritime Power
Through Relocation to Busan, Innovation in the Fisheries Industry,
and Enhanced Maritime Safety

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will begin full-scale implementation of three major national policy initiatives: pioneering the Arctic shipping route, revitalizing fishing villages and coastal economies, and strengthening maritime sovereignty. Through these efforts, the government aims to simultaneously reinforce the logistics infrastructure for imports and exports, increase incomes in fishing communities, and create cleaner seas, with the goal of advancing as a future maritime powerhouse.

Among the 123 national policy initiatives confirmed at the Cabinet meeting on September 16, the three led by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries are: building a K-maritime powerhouse to lead the era of the Arctic shipping route; driving innovation in the fisheries and maritime industries to revitalize fishing villages and coastal economies; and establishing unwavering maritime sovereignty and clean seas.

The Arctic shipping route initiative focuses on completing the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan within this year, launching a relocation council for shipping companies, and supporting the attraction of major carriers such as HMM to Busan. The government will provide subsidies for the construction of icebreaking vessels for domestic shipping companies to accelerate the commercialization of the Arctic route, and plans to host the 4th UN Ocean Conference in Korea in 2028 to expand Arctic cooperation projects.

Additionally, the government will develop hub ports for different types of cargo such as containers, LNG, and crude oil, and transform hinterland areas into global logistics hubs. The national maritime transport capacity will be expanded, focusing on eco-friendly vessels. Another goal is to increase the added value of the shipbuilding industry through the development of Korean autonomous ships and icebreaking container ship technologies.

The initiative to revitalize fishing villages and coastal economies centers on establishing a resilient seafood supply chain in the face of climate crises and increasing the incomes of fishers. The fisheries management system will be reorganized around the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) system, and support for scrapping and replacing aging fishing vessels will be expanded. The coverage of aquaculture disaster insurance will be broadened, and both production area distribution centers (FPCs) and consumption area distribution centers (FDCs) will be expanded to establish a nationwide cold chain distribution network.

The number of seafood items available for direct online transactions will be increased from 60 to 146. The plan also includes support for young fishers to settle, expansion of medical services for island residents, enhancement of marine tourism infrastructure, designation of planned sites in line with the Offshore Wind Power Act to be implemented next year, and the introduction of a profit-sharing model for fishers.

The initiative to strengthen maritime sovereignty focuses on securing seafood resource security by enhancing the capacity to monitor and crack down on illegal fishing. The government will introduce a licensing system for operators of vessels under 5 tons, increase the number of fishing vessel safety supervisors, establish an AI-based maritime safety and disaster management system, and introduce a terrestrial navigation system (eLoran) to strengthen safety networks. In addition, at least one large-scale marine protected area will be designated each year, and infrastructure for processing marine waste and abandoned fishing gear will be enhanced to achieve clean seas.

Jeon Jae-soo, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, stated, "By pioneering the Arctic shipping route, invigorating fishing villages and coastal areas, and strengthening maritime sovereignty, we will establish a new growth engine for the Republic of Korea," adding, "We will do our utmost to deliver tangible results from these maritime and fisheries policy initiatives that the public can truly feel."