Minister Jeon Jae-soo of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said, "If the Department of Shipbuilding and Marine Plant of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is transferred to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, we can achieve results 1,000 times or 10,000 times greater."
After the inauguration ceremony on the 24th, the Minister said during a meeting with reporters, "From the perspective of strengthening the functions and roles of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, we must actively consider the transfer of the Department of Shipbuilding and Marine Plant from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy."
Earlier, Minister Kim Jeong-kwan pointed out, "In Japan, after the shipbuilding and shipping industries merged, the shipbuilding industry lost its competitiveness," to which he responded, "That's a reversal of cause and effect."
He noted, "By the time Japan's shipbuilding industry was failing, it had already merged with the marine industry and could no longer revert," adding, "This is something Minister Kim needs to confirm."
On this day, the Minister reiterated his commitment not only to the transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan but also to moving HMM, the Southeast Investment Bank, and the Marine Court to Busan as well.
He remarked, "Busan has gathered all the necessary elements, including ports, shipbuilding, shipping, industrial infrastructure, and talent," and stated, "We will transfer various entities, including major shipping companies like HMM, the Marine Court, and the Southeast Investment Bank, simultaneously and in a compact manner."
When asked about the possibility of running for mayor of Busan, he refrained from answering. The Minister said, "One cannot serve in ministerial positions indefinitely. What is more important than the term is creating a new growth foundation through the transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan."
He continued, "Every politician has dreams of achieving greater results," yet added, "It is inappropriate to pressure a politician to answer about running for mayor of Busan right now."
Additionally, he asserted, "The transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is being pursued from the perspective of Korea's growth and development strategy," dismissing claims that the transfer was being proposed due to elections as "nonsensical."