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Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Announces Direction for Fostering the Southern Maritime Capital Region
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2026.06.02.
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Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Announces Direction for Fostering the Southern Maritime Capital Region
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo) announced the Direction for Fostering the Southern Maritime Capital Region at the State Council meeting on Tuesday, May 26 to develop the southeastern region into a global maritime economic hub in response to rapidly changing environments, such as the revitalization of the Arctic shipping route and restructuring of global supply chains.
MOF aims to develop the southeast region—which boasts of manufacturing, logistics, and energy industry foundations as well as world-class port infrastructure—into a key growth hub to lead Korea's future maritime economy. To this end, the plan is to foster Busan as an international maritime business hub, Ulsan as an eco-friendly energy hub, and Gyeongnam as a key global supply chain base combining port logistics, manufacturing, and AI.
To achieve this, the Ministry will draw up the Direction for Fostering the Southern Maritime Capital Region and promptly pursue detailed initiatives based on four key strategies, all within the Southern Maritime Capital Region: △ leading the Arctic route; △ achieving industrial takeoff; △ attracting businesses, people, and capital; and △ ensuring a high quality of life.
First, in preparation for the Arctic route era after 2030, MOF will activate it in stages as a mid- to long-term national strategy. MOF will proceed with trial operations on the Busan-Rotterdam route in the second half of this year and establish a navigation system in phases to open a regular Korea-Europe route by 2030. In addition, it will expand the national icebreaker fleet, train polar specialists, establish eco-friendly fuel supply infrastructure, and expand international cooperation.
Second, to create a Southern Maritime Capital Region where industries make a great leap forward, MOF will enhance its competitiveness as a global logistics hub by linking with core infrastructure such as Jinhae New Port while also fostering high value-added marine service industries including maritime finance, maritime law, eco-friendly bunkering, and ship MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul). Furthermore, it plans to strengthen the competitiveness of future shipbuilding and maritime industries such as autonomous and eco-friendly vessels, and to support the leap toward becoming a key global supply chain hub through AI Transformation (AX) across the port, logistics, and manufacturing industries.
Third, MOF will create a Southern Maritime Capital Region where businesses, people, and capital gather. The Ministry plans to lay the groundwork for innovative growth in the Southern Maritime Capital Region by attracting world-class shipping and logistics companies to create specialized jobs, establishing the Maritime and International Commercial Court (opening in March 2028), launching employment-linked contract departments through collaboration with large corporations, training personnel specializing in the marine, fisheries, and STEM fields, and fostering a demand-oriented maritime startup ecosystem to draw young talent.
Fourth, MOF will create a livable southern maritime metropolitan area. The Ministry will transform the Southern Maritime Capital Region into a one-hour commuting zone by building a wide-area transportation network. It will also expand living infrastructure in housing, education, healthcare, and culture to improve settlement conditions while developing a maritime leisure and tourism belt connecting tourism resources along the southern coast.
“Korea's future growth engine lies in the sea, and the success of the Southern Maritime Capital Region will contribute to the 5-Pole, 3-Special Zone National Land Spatial Transformation Plan. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will proactively respond to global logistics and environmental changes and proceed without delay with fostering the Southern Maritime Capital Region to enable Korea to take a leap forward as a leading maritime nation,” said the MOF Minister Hwang Jong-woo.
- Preparing for the era of the Arctic Sea Route… Fostering the Southeastern Region as a hub for Korea's future growth
- Creating a maritime economic zone linked to the Arctic route, hi-tech manufacturing, maritime finance, and eco-friendly energy
- Creating a maritime economic zone linked to the Arctic route, hi-tech manufacturing, maritime finance, and eco-friendly energy
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo) announced the Direction for Fostering the Southern Maritime Capital Region at the State Council meeting on Tuesday, May 26 to develop the southeastern region into a global maritime economic hub in response to rapidly changing environments, such as the revitalization of the Arctic shipping route and restructuring of global supply chains.
MOF aims to develop the southeast region—which boasts of manufacturing, logistics, and energy industry foundations as well as world-class port infrastructure—into a key growth hub to lead Korea's future maritime economy. To this end, the plan is to foster Busan as an international maritime business hub, Ulsan as an eco-friendly energy hub, and Gyeongnam as a key global supply chain base combining port logistics, manufacturing, and AI.
To achieve this, the Ministry will draw up the Direction for Fostering the Southern Maritime Capital Region and promptly pursue detailed initiatives based on four key strategies, all within the Southern Maritime Capital Region: △ leading the Arctic route; △ achieving industrial takeoff; △ attracting businesses, people, and capital; and △ ensuring a high quality of life.
First, in preparation for the Arctic route era after 2030, MOF will activate it in stages as a mid- to long-term national strategy. MOF will proceed with trial operations on the Busan-Rotterdam route in the second half of this year and establish a navigation system in phases to open a regular Korea-Europe route by 2030. In addition, it will expand the national icebreaker fleet, train polar specialists, establish eco-friendly fuel supply infrastructure, and expand international cooperation.
Second, to create a Southern Maritime Capital Region where industries make a great leap forward, MOF will enhance its competitiveness as a global logistics hub by linking with core infrastructure such as Jinhae New Port while also fostering high value-added marine service industries including maritime finance, maritime law, eco-friendly bunkering, and ship MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul). Furthermore, it plans to strengthen the competitiveness of future shipbuilding and maritime industries such as autonomous and eco-friendly vessels, and to support the leap toward becoming a key global supply chain hub through AI Transformation (AX) across the port, logistics, and manufacturing industries.
Third, MOF will create a Southern Maritime Capital Region where businesses, people, and capital gather. The Ministry plans to lay the groundwork for innovative growth in the Southern Maritime Capital Region by attracting world-class shipping and logistics companies to create specialized jobs, establishing the Maritime and International Commercial Court (opening in March 2028), launching employment-linked contract departments through collaboration with large corporations, training personnel specializing in the marine, fisheries, and STEM fields, and fostering a demand-oriented maritime startup ecosystem to draw young talent.
Fourth, MOF will create a livable southern maritime metropolitan area. The Ministry will transform the Southern Maritime Capital Region into a one-hour commuting zone by building a wide-area transportation network. It will also expand living infrastructure in housing, education, healthcare, and culture to improve settlement conditions while developing a maritime leisure and tourism belt connecting tourism resources along the southern coast.
“Korea's future growth engine lies in the sea, and the success of the Southern Maritime Capital Region will contribute to the 5-Pole, 3-Special Zone National Land Spatial Transformation Plan. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will proactively respond to global logistics and environmental changes and proceed without delay with fostering the Southern Maritime Capital Region to enable Korea to take a leap forward as a leading maritime nation,” said the MOF Minister Hwang Jong-woo.
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