Lee Seong-gwon: “Tying the relocation of MOF-affiliated public corporations to second-phase public institution relocations” breaks a campaign pledge

[Financial News] On the morning of the 12th, as the National Assembly audit of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) was held in Busan, criticism was voiced that the Lee Jae-myung administration’s attempt to relocate MOF-affiliated public corporations in conjunction with the second-phase relocation of public institutions amounted to a breach of the president’s campaign pledge.

At the audit held that day at MOF’s Busan Annex, National Assembly member Lee Seong-gwon (Busan Saha-gap, People Power Party) argued that the relocation of public institutions under MOF should be pursued separately from the second-phase relocation of public institutions.
Lee said, “President Lee Jae-myung promised to swiftly relocate maritime and fisheries public institutions to Busan at a town hall meeting in Busan in July last year and at the Sea Day commemoration ceremony last May. However, MOF has continued to respond to plans to relocate maritime and fisheries public institutions by saying they are ‘under review within the framework of the second-phase relocation of public institutions.’ Contrary to the president’s promise, it appears that relocation tied to the second-phase relocation of public institutions is being pursued.”
Criticism was also voiced that the relocation to Busan of shipping companies such as HMM was making little progress. In HMM’s case, it is understood that no significant steps have been taken since the registered address of its headquarters was moved to Busan.
He said, “For shipping companies’ relocation to strengthen Busan’s shipping and port competitiveness, key decision-making functions such as sales and finance need to move to Busan. In addition, the impact of their relocation will be greater when the government provides policy support, such as ‘mutually beneficial cooperation’ and ‘finance and funding,’ between relocating large corporations and local shipping and logistics companies.” He called on MOF to take an active role in this effort.
Hwang Jong-woo, the MOF minister, replied, “I have been telling the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in various ways that maritime and fisheries public institutions should relocate to Busan in coordination with MOF. I understand that the ministry will likely make its decision after taking into account balanced national development and the clustering of functions. I also understand that HMM will hold its opening ceremony in Busan tomorrow. HMM previously said it would build a landmark-level headquarters in Busan, so I expect the relocation to proceed in stages, following labor-management consultations, until then.”
Lee reiterated, “President Lee Jae-myung personally made the promise. But then the president went back on it. The government’s decision to tie the relocation of maritime and fisheries public institutions to the second-phase relocation of public institutions is clearly one that deceives the public. Maritime and fisheries public institutions should be relocated to Busan as originally planned, regardless of the second-phase relocation of public institutions.”[email protected] Byeon Ok-hwan Reporter