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Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Reports Achievements in the Maritime and Fisheries Sector in Commemoration of the 1st Anniversary of the Launch of the People's Sovereignty Government
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2026.05.27.
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Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Reports Achievements in the Maritime and Fisheries Sector in Commemoration of the 1st Anniversary of the Launch of the People's Sovereignty Government
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo) announced the achievements in the maritime and fisheries sector under the theme “The Path of Great Transformation Created by the People: Recovery, Leap Forward and a Year for Everyone" at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, May 20, marking the first anniversary of the launch of the People's Sovereignty Government.
Since the administration’s launch, MOF has achieved results such as the full-scale development of the ‘Maritime Capital Region’, acceleration of innovation in the fisheries industry, and consolidation of global maritime leadership.
❶ Relocation of MOF to Busan
With its 859 employees, MOF relocated to Busan to implement the national agenda of the People’s Sovereignty Government. The Ministry also launched the Arctic Route Promotion Office, which serves as an inter-ministerial command center for entering the Arctic route and establishing a Maritime Capital Region.
Its relocation is revitalizing Busan's local economy. Sales across all business sites in Busan were found to have increased by an average of 3.7% following MOF's relocation. The number of newly established corporations in the Busan region in January 2026 also increased 28% compared to the same month of the previous year.
In addition, the competition rates for maritime and fisheries-related schools in the Busan area—such as Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Pukyong National University, Busan Maritime High School, and Naval Science and Technology High School—rose across the board, reflecting the expectations of the younger generation regarding the relocation of MOF.
❷ Shipping Company Clustering
The clustering of shipping companies is necessary to expand industrial infrastructure in the Maritime Capital Region. H-Line Shipping and SK Shipping announced last December that they would be relocating their headquarters to Busan to take the companies to the next level, driven by the synergies arising from the development of the Maritime Capital Region.
The relocation of HMM to Busan—one of the key national agendas of the People's Sovereignty Government—is also scheduled to be completed in the first half of this year. HMM management and labor held a signing ceremony on April 30 for a labor-management agreement on relocating the headquarters to Busan, and both parties reached an active agreement to the relocation. HMM held an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders on May 8 and passed an amendment to its Articles of Incorporation to change its headquarters to Busan, planning to complete the transfer registration by the end of this month. The relocation of HMM—Korea's largest shipping company—to Busan is expected to mark a major leap forward for the Maritime Capital Region's shipping and logistics industry.
❸ Creating a Foundation for the Maritime Capital Region
Fostering the Maritime Capital Region necessitates establishing administrative, judicial, corporate, and financial infrastructure. In particular, the administrative foundation has been laid through MOF’s relocation to Busan. This February, the National Assembly passed amendments to nine laws—including the Court Organization Act—to establish the Maritime and International Commercial Court. It is scheduled to open in March 2028.
MOF is working with the relevant agencies, including the Financial Services Commission, to establish the Southeast Investment Corporation to oversee the financial infrastructure. Once the establishment of the Southeast Investment Corporation is confirmed, the Maritime Capital Region is expected to be a new growth engine for Korea equipped with administrative, judicial, corporate, and financial infrastructure.
❶ Highest Performance in Seafood Exports
Seafood exports reached an all-time high in 2025. While the export value of seafood products has remained stagnant at around USD 3 billion over the past 3 years, the export value of seaweed last year increased 13.7% to an all-time high of USD 1.13 billion compared to the previous year. The total export value of seafood products also rose 9.7% to a new all-time high of USD 3.33 billion compared to the previous year.
These achievements—made amid uncertainty in the international trade environment—demonstrate that Korea's seafood industry continues to strengthen its competitiveness.
❷ Improvement of Fisheries Regulations
The management system for Korea's fisheries industry has its roots in the 『Fisheries Act』 enacted in 1908 during the Korean Empire period, adopting an input-regulation approach comprising over 1,500 measures including restrictions on fishing gear and methods as well as closed seasons and minimum size limits. However, the need for changes in the management system to address the climate crisis and the decline of fishing communities has increased day by day.
Major changes to the fisheries management system have begun with the passage of the Sustainable Coastal and Inshore Fisheries Development Act at the National Assembly plenary session on May 7 of this year. There are plans of shifting from an input-regulation approach that limits the method of capture to an output-based approach focused on managing catch volumes. Accordingly, about half of the existing input regulations will be abolished or adjusted.
MOF also proactively improved fisheries regulations that could be eased prior to the law's enactment. The Incheon Metropolitan City Notice on Temporary Restrictions on Fishing or Navigation in Designated Sea Areas was revised this January to allow nighttime navigation and fishing south of 37°30' in the Incheon and Gyeonggi sea areas during the peak fishing period (March to June). With this regulatory improvement, about 900 fishing vessels operating in the fishing grounds will be able to catch an additional 3,100 tons of seafood annually.
❸ Minimizing Damage from High Water Temperatures
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the summer of 2025 was the hottest since 1973. High water temperatures also persisted for 85 days—the longest period on record—making it a year of great concern with regard to the negative impact on fishermen.
Accordingly, MOF continuously inspected aquaculture farms to prevent damage from high water temperatures and encouraged aquaculture operators to harvest their products early before the high-temperature period. In addition, the Ministry rapidly distributed equipment to respond to abnormal water temperatures in areas expected to be affected severely. It also continuously encouraged the purchase of disaster insurance to minimize damage to fishermen caused by high water temperatures.
As a result, the damage caused by high temperatures in fish farms nationwide decreased 87% to KRW 17.7 billion in 2025 from KRW 143 billion in the previous year. MOF plans to respond proactively to high water temperatures this year by activating a cooperative system with local governments and on-the-ground fishermen.
❶ Hosting the 4th UN Ocean Conference
The UN Ocean Conference is participated in by 193 UN member states, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations as the largest high-level international conference in the maritime sector held every three years.
Since President Lee Jae-myung announced Korea's intention to host the UN Ocean Conference in a keynote speech at the UN last September, MOF and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have garnered broad support from various countries through multiple channels. As a result, at last December’s UN General Assembly, South Korea and Chile were confirmed as the host countries for the 4th UN Ocean Conference to be held in 2028.
* Jointly hosted by developed and developing countries to discuss inclusive and balanced maritime cooperation; developing countries host preliminary high-level events the year prior to the Conference, with developed countries hosting the plenary session.
MOF plans to prepare systematically for the 4th UN Ocean Conference, using it as an opportunity for Korea to establish itself as a true global maritime power.
❷ Elected to the IMO Group A Council for the 13th Consecutive Term
Korea has been elected to the Group A Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)—a specialized agency of the UN—for the 13th consecutive time. IMO promotes the enactment, amendment, and implementation of international norms related to maritime safety and marine environmental protection.
The IMO Council consists of 40 countries: Group A (10 countries) comprises major shipping nations, Group B (10 countries) consists of major cargo owners, and Group C (20 countries) comprises regional representatives. Their term of office is two years.
After joining the International Maritime Organization in 1962, Korea has maintained its status as a member of the highest group of the Council—Group A—since 2001. With this consecutive term as a member of the Council, MOF plans to take the lead in discussions on key issues such as decarbonization, digitalization, and autonomous ships in international shipping and reflect actively Korea's position in the process of establishing and revising international standards.
In addition, the Ministry raised the maximum fine for unlicensed fishing over the past year from KRW 300 million to KRW 1.5 billion to strengthen punishment for illegal fishing activities. Meanwhile, in response to the surge in cruise passengers, boarding and disembarking wait times have been reduced to less than 15 minutes thanks to institutional improvements such as onboard immigration inspections during navigation and simplified inspections at multiple domestic ports.
According to Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo, the first year of the People’s Sovereignty Government was a year of great transformation for the maritime and fisheries sector, marked by the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, relocation of shipping companies including HMM, and record-high export value of seafood products. “Going forward, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will continue contributing to Korea’s great leap forward through policies focused on the public’s perspective, public satisfaction, and future of the nation,” he added.
- Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' major achievements over the past year announced at the Cabinet meeting
- Full-scale development of the Maritime Capital Region, acceleration of fisheries innovation, consolidation of global maritime leadership, etc.
- Full-scale development of the Maritime Capital Region, acceleration of fisheries innovation, consolidation of global maritime leadership, etc.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo) announced the achievements in the maritime and fisheries sector under the theme “The Path of Great Transformation Created by the People: Recovery, Leap Forward and a Year for Everyone" at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, May 20, marking the first anniversary of the launch of the People's Sovereignty Government.
Since the administration’s launch, MOF has achieved results such as the full-scale development of the ‘Maritime Capital Region’, acceleration of innovation in the fisheries industry, and consolidation of global maritime leadership.
| ① Full-scale Development of the Maritime Capital Region for the Arctic Route Era |
❶ Relocation of MOF to Busan
With its 859 employees, MOF relocated to Busan to implement the national agenda of the People’s Sovereignty Government. The Ministry also launched the Arctic Route Promotion Office, which serves as an inter-ministerial command center for entering the Arctic route and establishing a Maritime Capital Region.
Its relocation is revitalizing Busan's local economy. Sales across all business sites in Busan were found to have increased by an average of 3.7% following MOF's relocation. The number of newly established corporations in the Busan region in January 2026 also increased 28% compared to the same month of the previous year.
In addition, the competition rates for maritime and fisheries-related schools in the Busan area—such as Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Pukyong National University, Busan Maritime High School, and Naval Science and Technology High School—rose across the board, reflecting the expectations of the younger generation regarding the relocation of MOF.
❷ Shipping Company Clustering
The clustering of shipping companies is necessary to expand industrial infrastructure in the Maritime Capital Region. H-Line Shipping and SK Shipping announced last December that they would be relocating their headquarters to Busan to take the companies to the next level, driven by the synergies arising from the development of the Maritime Capital Region.
The relocation of HMM to Busan—one of the key national agendas of the People's Sovereignty Government—is also scheduled to be completed in the first half of this year. HMM management and labor held a signing ceremony on April 30 for a labor-management agreement on relocating the headquarters to Busan, and both parties reached an active agreement to the relocation. HMM held an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders on May 8 and passed an amendment to its Articles of Incorporation to change its headquarters to Busan, planning to complete the transfer registration by the end of this month. The relocation of HMM—Korea's largest shipping company—to Busan is expected to mark a major leap forward for the Maritime Capital Region's shipping and logistics industry.
❸ Creating a Foundation for the Maritime Capital Region
Fostering the Maritime Capital Region necessitates establishing administrative, judicial, corporate, and financial infrastructure. In particular, the administrative foundation has been laid through MOF’s relocation to Busan. This February, the National Assembly passed amendments to nine laws—including the Court Organization Act—to establish the Maritime and International Commercial Court. It is scheduled to open in March 2028.
MOF is working with the relevant agencies, including the Financial Services Commission, to establish the Southeast Investment Corporation to oversee the financial infrastructure. Once the establishment of the Southeast Investment Corporation is confirmed, the Maritime Capital Region is expected to be a new growth engine for Korea equipped with administrative, judicial, corporate, and financial infrastructure.
| ② Accelerating Innovation in the Fisheries Industry |
❶ Highest Performance in Seafood Exports
Seafood exports reached an all-time high in 2025. While the export value of seafood products has remained stagnant at around USD 3 billion over the past 3 years, the export value of seaweed last year increased 13.7% to an all-time high of USD 1.13 billion compared to the previous year. The total export value of seafood products also rose 9.7% to a new all-time high of USD 3.33 billion compared to the previous year.
These achievements—made amid uncertainty in the international trade environment—demonstrate that Korea's seafood industry continues to strengthen its competitiveness.
❷ Improvement of Fisheries Regulations
The management system for Korea's fisheries industry has its roots in the 『Fisheries Act』 enacted in 1908 during the Korean Empire period, adopting an input-regulation approach comprising over 1,500 measures including restrictions on fishing gear and methods as well as closed seasons and minimum size limits. However, the need for changes in the management system to address the climate crisis and the decline of fishing communities has increased day by day.
Major changes to the fisheries management system have begun with the passage of the Sustainable Coastal and Inshore Fisheries Development Act at the National Assembly plenary session on May 7 of this year. There are plans of shifting from an input-regulation approach that limits the method of capture to an output-based approach focused on managing catch volumes. Accordingly, about half of the existing input regulations will be abolished or adjusted.
MOF also proactively improved fisheries regulations that could be eased prior to the law's enactment. The Incheon Metropolitan City Notice on Temporary Restrictions on Fishing or Navigation in Designated Sea Areas was revised this January to allow nighttime navigation and fishing south of 37°30' in the Incheon and Gyeonggi sea areas during the peak fishing period (March to June). With this regulatory improvement, about 900 fishing vessels operating in the fishing grounds will be able to catch an additional 3,100 tons of seafood annually.
❸ Minimizing Damage from High Water Temperatures
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the summer of 2025 was the hottest since 1973. High water temperatures also persisted for 85 days—the longest period on record—making it a year of great concern with regard to the negative impact on fishermen.
Accordingly, MOF continuously inspected aquaculture farms to prevent damage from high water temperatures and encouraged aquaculture operators to harvest their products early before the high-temperature period. In addition, the Ministry rapidly distributed equipment to respond to abnormal water temperatures in areas expected to be affected severely. It also continuously encouraged the purchase of disaster insurance to minimize damage to fishermen caused by high water temperatures.
As a result, the damage caused by high temperatures in fish farms nationwide decreased 87% to KRW 17.7 billion in 2025 from KRW 143 billion in the previous year. MOF plans to respond proactively to high water temperatures this year by activating a cooperative system with local governments and on-the-ground fishermen.
| ③ Securing Global Maritime Leadership |
❶ Hosting the 4th UN Ocean Conference
The UN Ocean Conference is participated in by 193 UN member states, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations as the largest high-level international conference in the maritime sector held every three years.
Since President Lee Jae-myung announced Korea's intention to host the UN Ocean Conference in a keynote speech at the UN last September, MOF and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have garnered broad support from various countries through multiple channels. As a result, at last December’s UN General Assembly, South Korea and Chile were confirmed as the host countries for the 4th UN Ocean Conference to be held in 2028.
* Jointly hosted by developed and developing countries to discuss inclusive and balanced maritime cooperation; developing countries host preliminary high-level events the year prior to the Conference, with developed countries hosting the plenary session.
MOF plans to prepare systematically for the 4th UN Ocean Conference, using it as an opportunity for Korea to establish itself as a true global maritime power.
❷ Elected to the IMO Group A Council for the 13th Consecutive Term
Korea has been elected to the Group A Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)—a specialized agency of the UN—for the 13th consecutive time. IMO promotes the enactment, amendment, and implementation of international norms related to maritime safety and marine environmental protection.
The IMO Council consists of 40 countries: Group A (10 countries) comprises major shipping nations, Group B (10 countries) consists of major cargo owners, and Group C (20 countries) comprises regional representatives. Their term of office is two years.
After joining the International Maritime Organization in 1962, Korea has maintained its status as a member of the highest group of the Council—Group A—since 2001. With this consecutive term as a member of the Council, MOF plans to take the lead in discussions on key issues such as decarbonization, digitalization, and autonomous ships in international shipping and reflect actively Korea's position in the process of establishing and revising international standards.
In addition, the Ministry raised the maximum fine for unlicensed fishing over the past year from KRW 300 million to KRW 1.5 billion to strengthen punishment for illegal fishing activities. Meanwhile, in response to the surge in cruise passengers, boarding and disembarking wait times have been reduced to less than 15 minutes thanks to institutional improvements such as onboard immigration inspections during navigation and simplified inspections at multiple domestic ports.
According to Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo, the first year of the People’s Sovereignty Government was a year of great transformation for the maritime and fisheries sector, marked by the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, relocation of shipping companies including HMM, and record-high export value of seafood products. “Going forward, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will continue contributing to Korea’s great leap forward through policies focused on the public’s perspective, public satisfaction, and future of the nation,” he added.
| Inquiry | Planning and Coordination Office | Person in charge | Director | Park Young-ho (051-773-5120) |
| Planning and Finance Division | Coordinator | Secretary | Ryu Ji-ho (051-773-5121) |
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