Moon Geumju: "National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives Headquarters Should Move to South Jeolla, Korea’s Top Fisheries Hub"

Only One Out of 19 Institutions Under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Is Based in South Jeolla Province
"Field-Oriented Cooperatives... Headquarters Should Move Closer to Fishermen"

Geumju Moon, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

There have been criticisms regarding the severe imbalance in the distribution of institutions under and affiliated with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, as only one such institution is headquartered in South Jeolla Province, which produces 60% of the nation's seafood.

On October 27, Moon Geumju, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Goheung, Boseong, Jangheung, and Gangjin in South Jeolla Province, reviewed the nationwide distribution of institutions under and affiliated with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The results revealed a concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area and certain regions, while South Jeolla Province, which is the foundation of fishermen’s livelihoods, has been relatively neglected.

Currently, there are six headquarters in Busan, five in Seoul, and two each in Incheon and Sejong. In South Jeolla Province, only the Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority is headquartered.

Particularly, institutions closely tied to the fisheries industry, such as the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, and the Korea Fisheries Infrastructure Promotion Agency, are all headquartered in Seoul. This has been pointed out as a major factor contributing to a sense of alienation among fishermen.

As of 2024, South Jeolla Province accounts for 1.86 million tons (59.4%) out of the nation’s total seafood production of 3.13 million tons. The province also leads in exports of dried seaweed, known as "K-GIM," with an overwhelming share. From January to August this year, South Jeolla Province exported 303.16 million dollars’ worth of dried seaweed, accounting for 37.8% of the nationwide total of 794.43 million dollars. This highlights the province’s critical role in the industry. Such complaints arise when considering South Jeolla Province’s status as the center of the domestic fisheries industry.

Assemblyman Moon stated, "It is contradictory for public institutions serving fishing villages and fishermen to be located in the heart of Seoul," and emphasized, "Their headquarters should be relocated to the field, where the lives and breath of fishermen exist."

He continued, "Whenever discussions about relocating public institutions arise, maritime and logistics-related organizations are moved to Busan, but the core of fisheries and fishing villages, South Jeolla Province, has repeatedly been excluded. The National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives should seriously consider relocating its headquarters to South Jeolla Province, which is the number one region for fisheries in Korea and the home of fishermen nationwide."

Meanwhile, Assemblyman Moon is preparing an amendment to the Fisheries Cooperatives Act regarding the relocation of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives headquarters, which is expected to provide the legal basis for the move.