[2025 Audit] Jeon Jae-soo: "Ministry Relocation to Busan to Be Completed This Year... Arctic Route Pilot Operation Next Year"

Establishing Specialized Infrastructure and Industrial Complexes for Each Major Port

On October 15, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Jeon Jae-soo announced plans to complete the relocation of the ministry to Busan within this year and to begin pilot operations of the Arctic shipping route in cooperation with national shipping companies starting next year.

During the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee audit of the ministry on the same day, Minister Jeon stated, "We will foster a maritime metropolitan area to prepare for the era of the Arctic shipping route." He emphasized the necessity of relocating the ministry to Busan to prepare for the Arctic shipping route era, promote development in the southeastern region, and strengthen the maritime industry.

He explained, "We will concentrate the functions of administration, judiciary, industry, and finance in the maritime metropolitan area," adding, "We will establish specialized infrastructure and industrial complexes for each major port in the southeastern region and create a pan-governmental system to support these efforts."

He further stated, "We will develop the new Jinhae Port into the world's largest container port and a smart port," and added, "We will also expand the infrastructure of major ports nationwide according to regional characteristics and redevelop idle ports."

He also presented strategies to elevate Korea as a leading maritime nation by strengthening eco-friendly and smart competitiveness. Minister Jeon said, "We will systematically support the transition to eco-friendly vessels and the development of fully autonomous ship technologies to enhance the competitiveness of the next-generation shipping industry," and explained, "We will also ensure stable management of export and import logistics systems by expanding special support for small and medium-sized shipping companies."

To respond to climate change, he said, "We will support a smart transition of aquaculture based on artificial intelligence (AI), relocate fish farms, and develop high-temperature resistant species," and added, "We will also improve the distribution system, such as by expanding reserve items, to ensure stable supply and demand of marine products."