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Engaging with Island Residents Ahead of Transition to Public Management for Public Sea Routes

  • Date

    2026.08.25.

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Engaging with Island Residents Ahead of Transition to Public Management for Public Sea Routes
- Resident Meetings to be Held Across 17 Islands Covered by Public Entrustment Routes
- Establishing a Public Sea Route Management System Tailored to Local Conditions by Reflecting Resident Input

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Minister Hwang Jong-woo) and the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority (Chairperson An Young-cheol) announced that they will visit islands along the West Coast designated for public entrustment operation to hold resident meetings from August 24 to September 2. These meetings aim to explain operation plans and gather opinions ahead of the implementation of public entrustment management for public sea routes scheduled for next year.

The meetings will target residents of 17 islands along 11 of the 29 public sea routes that the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority (KOMSA) will begin operating next year. During these sessions, officials will outline the objectives and preparation status of transitioning these routes?previously managed by private operators?to a public entrustment system. Operational plans for next year, including sailing schedules, fare structures, enhanced safety measures, and customer service improvements, will also be presented. In addition, officials will share the findings from preliminary surveys while gathering feedback on inconveniences and suggestions for improvement directly from residents.

* 17 Target Islands: Nokdo, Hodo, Oeyeondo, Woldo, Yukdo, Heoyukdo, Chudo, and Sodo in Boryeong-si; Gopado in Seosan-si; Gaeuido in Taean-gun; Mibeobdo and Seogeomdo in Incheon; Pungdo and Yukdo in Ansan-si; and Gaeyado, Yeondo, and Eocheongdo in Gunsan-si.

Opinions raised during the meetings will be jointly reviewed by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority to categorize them into immediately actionable items and mid-to-long-term tasks for active implementation in future route operations. Furthermore, the authorities plan to build public sea routes together with islanders by regularizing resident meetings and establishing separate communication channels.

Hwang Jong-woo, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, stated, "As public sea routes are an essential mode of transportation for island residents, understanding the actual needs and difficulties of the residents who use them is of paramount importance." He added, "Based on the voices of residents heard during these meetings, we will make every preparation for public entrustment operations to ensure that public sea routes become even more convenient."
 
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