Hwang Jong-woo (59), a director at the Korea Maritime Foundation who was nominated as the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries candidate, is a career bureaucrat with a strong grasp of maritime and port policy. Immediately after the nomination, Hwang said in a statement, "At a time when the international situation is grave, I am honored and humbled to become the first Minister candidate after the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries transfer to Busan."
Hwang added, "I may be lacking in many ways, but I will diligently prepare for the confirmation hearing." Observers say he is the right person to realize President Lee Jae-myung's vision of "maritime capital Busan," including responding to the era of the Northern Sea Route and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) transfer to Busan.
Born in Busan, Hwang graduated from Busan Dong High School and the Seoul National University Department of Law, and completed a master's program at the Graduate School of Public Administration at the same university.
After entering public service in the 38th higher civil service exam in 1995, Hwang mainly worked at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries for more than 20 years. He broadly handled maritime policy formulation and organizational management while serving in key ministry posts, including director of the Marine Conservation Division, director of the Port Logistics Planning Division, director of the Marine Policy Division, Spokesperson, head of the Maritime Safety Bureau, and Deputy Minister for Planning and Coordination.
During the Roh Moo-hyun administration, he served for five years as an adviser in the Presidential Speechwriting Office. He also has a record of closely assisting former President Roh Moo-hyun, who took the first step in the redevelopment of North Port at the time.
In 2017–2018, during the Moon Jae-in administration, he served as a senior administrative official at the Blue House. He is currently a director of the Korea Maritime Foundation and chairperson of the International Cooperation Committee at the Korea Maritime Cooperation Center foundation.
Lee Kyu-yeon, senior secretary for public communication at the Blue House, said of Hwang, "A career bureaucrat who has served in key posts at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF)," adding, "As a Busan native, he will lead the era of the Northern Sea Route and push forward without a hitch to complete the maritime capital."
▲Born in 1967 in Busan ▲Busan Dong High School ▲Seoul National University Department of Law ▲Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Administration, master's ▲38th higher civil service exam ▲Presidential Office Speechwriting Office, administrative officer ▲Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, director of Marine Conservation Division and Port Logistics Planning Division ▲Presidential Office, Senior Administrative Officer, Office of the First Secretary to the President ▲Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, director of Marine Policy Division, Spokesperson, head of Maritime Safety Bureau, Deputy Minister for Planning and Coordination ▲Korea Maritime Cooperation Center (foundation), chairperson of the International Cooperation Committee