Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
Oceans ministry relocates headquarters to Busan
President Lee Jae Myung delivers a speech during a relocation ceremony for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in Busan, Tuesday. Yonhap
By Lee Min-hyung
Ministry set to speed up project for Arctic shipping routes
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has relocated its headquarters to the southeastern port city of Busan to ensure the timely development of Arctic shipping routes, the ministry said Tuesday.
The ministry’s relocation from the administrative capital of Sejong to Busan was one of the key campaign pledges made by President Lee Jae Myung. After taking office in June, Lee advocated for opening a new maritime route through the Arctic Ocean to reduce maritime logistics costs between Asia and Europe.
He pledged to spare no efforts in elevating Busan’s footing as an industrial and logistics hub in Northeast Asia.
“The government will provide enough financial and administrative support for Busan to achieve a major leap forward as a pivotal logistics hub in Northeast Asia,” Lee said during a Cabinet meeting held at the relocated oceans ministry headquarters.
“Busan will take center stage to drive an era of Arctic shipping routes, and the government will offer policy support for the city to expand its port facilities, offer more value-added services and achieve regional industrial growth.”
This marks the first time that a government ministry has relocated its headquarters to a region other than the capital area or Sejong. The government underscored the oceans ministry's relocation is significant in paving the way for balanced growth nationwide.
President Lee Jae Myung applauds during a signboard hanging ceremony for the new headquarters of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in Busan, Tuesday. Yonhap
On the same day, the oceans ministry also launched a new pan-governmental task force dedicated to carrying out the Arctic routes project. The task force consists of a total of 31 officials from relevant authorities, such as the trade, land and foreign ministries, to coordinate the new maritime route.
Vice Minister Kim Seong-beom reaffirmed the ministry's willingness to create a new growth engine for Korea in Busan.
“Starting from our relocation to Busan, we will swiftly carry out major follow-up measures to state affairs and stay at the forefront in opening the new Arctic shipping routes,” Kim said.
The president also promised to nominate a new oceans minister soon, after former Oceans Minister Chun Jae-soo stepped down from the post in early December for allegedly receiving illegal funds from the Unification Church.
“Unfortunately, the oceans minister position is vacant for the time being, but the government is doing its best to find the next minister, possibly in Busan,” Lee said.
The oceans ministry was established in 1996 and its latest relocation to Busan raises the possibility that other ministries will consider relocating to different parts of the country for balanced regional growth.
The ministry is scheduled to complete building its main headquarters sometime around 2030 and conclude the relocation process.