Table of Contents
- Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Busan relocation, North Port cluster likely… President Lee Jae-myung's strategic move for PK public sentiment
- North Port marine institution cluster rapidly rising as a site for office
- Opposition from Sejong and Incheon, internal dissent also exists
- Ahead of the general election, targeting PK public sentiment… HMM, grand plan to include maritime court
- Is Busan ready?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Busan relocation, North Port cluster likely… President Lee Jae-myung's strategic move for PK public sentiment
President Lee Jae-myung instructed to quickly prepare for the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries at his first cabinet meeting. Accordingly, the ministry has immediately formed a relocation promotion team and has begun detailed review work.
This decision is interpreted as a strategic measure beyond a simple administrative relocation, aiming to develop Busan into a substantial marine capital.
President Lee has once again expressed his intention by reviving the role of 'marine secretary'. This is seen as an important element of his presidential campaign pledge and a political message aimed at gaining public sentiment in the Busan area.
President Lee's pledges for Busan are detailed in the post below.
North Port marine institution cluster rapidly rising as a site for office
The multi-purpose port area in the redevelopment area of Busan Port's North Port is being vigorously discussed as the relocation site for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. This area is expected to create a marine cluster with several public marine institutions already gathering, such as the Korea Maritime Promotion Corporation, the Korean Shipping Association, and the Busan Maritime and Fisheries Office, leading to policy synergies.
The multi-purpose port area covers approximately 77,000 square meters and is currently owned by the Busan Port Authority (BPA), but a transfer of ownership to the Ministry is planned soon. If procedures are carried out quickly, it may shorten the time needed to establish the office.
Additionally, its proximity to Busan Station provides an advantage of facilitating administrative connections with Sejong and Seoul. These factors are expected to positively impact the Ministry's relocation.
In the North Port multi-purpose port area of Busan, there are the marine institution cluster and the Government Busan Regional Joint Office. Moreover, information about the public comprehensive site development plan can be found in the post below.
Opposition from Sejong and Incheon, internal dissent also exists
There are many challenges left to be addressed compared to the speed of relocation. According to a survey conducted by the Ministry's civil servant union, about 86% opposed the relocation. There are significant concerns about changes to living conditions, such as child education and housing issues, and opposition is also rising from other local governments including Sejong City and Incheon based on the logic of balanced development.
Additionally, concerns about administrative inefficiency due to weakened collaboration with other departments and increased business trips are being raised. In response, the ministry is considering prioritizing the use of private rental buildings. The legal interpretation that allows implementation merely by announcing the relocation plan without complicated procedures is working positively in this situation. A cautious approach is needed, considering various opinions and concerns.
Ahead of the general election, targeting PK public sentiment… HMM, grand plan to include maritime court
This measure is interpreted as an intention to recover support from the Democratic Party in Busan, where the People Power Party is strong. If President Lee swiftly implements the pledge for the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, there is a possibility of positively influencing the upcoming local elections in 2026.
President Lee has also proposed a large-scale marine cluster plan, which includes not only the relocation of the Ministry but also the attraction of HMM's headquarters, establishment of a maritime court, and convergence of marine-related public institutions and research and development centers. This is seen as a national strategy to develop Busan into a hub for shipping and shipbuilding industries, going beyond merely fulfilling promises.
Actually, the Korea Maritime Promotion Corporation, which holds shares in HMM together with the Korea Development Bank, is located in Busan, raising the possibility that HMM's relocation to Busan may proceed in earnest. These changes are expected to have a positive impact on Busan's marine industry.
The possibility of relocating the Polar Research Institute to Busan and establishing a second polar research institute has been raised, along with the plan to install the main branch of the maritime court. These elements come together, making the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries not just a policy but a complex urban strategy.
Is Busan ready?
The relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, directed by President Lee Jae-myung, can be considered a large-scale project that goes beyond a mere departmental move, involving political, economic, and administrative aspects. If the North Port redevelopment area is successfully clustered, Busan is likely to establish itself as a crucial center of the Republic of Korea's marine capital.
However, during this process, pushback from civil servants, conflicts with other local governments, and significant budget and office procurement issues are expected to be major variables. Therefore, the key elements for successful promotion will be speed, persuasion, and strategic placement.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Why did President Lee Jae-myung order the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan?
President Lee Jae-myung ordered the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to develop Busan into a marine capital.
President Lee Jae-myung commanded that the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan be swiftly promoted at his first cabinet meeting. This is interpreted as a strategic measure aimed at developing Busan into a marine capital, transcending simple institutional relocation. Together with the revival of the marine secretary position, it serves as a political message targeting public sentiment in the Busan area.
Q. Which locations are under consideration as potential sites for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries relocation?
The multi-purpose port area in the redevelopment area of Busan Port's North Port is a leading candidate for the relocation site.
The relocation site for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is being considered as the multi-purpose port area in the North Port redevelopment region of Busan. Several marine public institutions, including the Korea Maritime Promotion Corporation and the Korean Shipping Association, are already gathering in this area to form a marine cluster. It covers approximately 77,000 square meters and is currently owned by the Busan Port Authority, but a transfer of ownership to the Ministry is planned, which can shorten the time needed for establishing the office. Its proximity to Busan Station facilitates administrative connections with Sejong and Seoul.
Q. What are the opposing opinions regarding the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries?
About 86% of the Ministry's civil servant union opposes the move, with major concerns over residential and education issues and pushback from other local governments.
A survey conducted by the Ministry's civil servant union shows that a majority oppose the relocation, expressing concerns about child education and changes in their living environment. There is pushback from other areas, including Sejong City and Incheon, based on the logic of balanced development. Concerns about administrative inefficiency due to weakened collaboration with other departments and increased business trips are also being raised. The Ministry is seeking to prioritize the use of private rental buildings and is positively considering legal simplifications regarding the process of relocation.
Q. What political significance does this relocation project hold for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries?
The Democratic Party is pursuing the relocation of the Ministry ahead of the Busan general election to target the PK public sentiment.
This measure is interpreted as a political gamble aimed to regain support for the Democratic Party in Busan, a region dominated by the People Power Party. Besides the relocation of the Ministry, President Lee Jae-myung has proposed a strategy for building a large-scale marine cluster that includes attracting HMM's headquarters, establishing a maritime court, and converging marine public institutions. It is aimed at positively impacting the upcoming local elections.
Q. Which institutions will be consolidated in the Busan marine institution cluster?
The Korea Maritime Promotion Corporation, Korean Shipping Association, and Busan Maritime and Fisheries Office will gather in the North Port multi-purpose port area.
The North Port multi-purpose port area will form a marine institution cluster that includes several marine public institutions, such as the Korea Maritime Promotion Corporation, the Korean Shipping Association, and the Busan Maritime and Fisheries Office. The Government Busan Regional Joint Office will also be located in this area, which is anticipated to contribute to enhancing Busan's role as a national marine capital.
