Hwang Jong-woo, nominee for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, reaffirmed his commitment to relocating HMM (011200) to Busan. Hwang views HMM as a key pillar in the strategy to develop Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang Province into a maritime capital region.
"The relocation of HMM and agencies under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is tied to developing the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region into a genuine maritime capital," Hwang said during his first day at the confirmation hearing preparation office at Busan Port Authority in Jung-gu, Busan.
He indicated plans to pursue public agency relocations in the same direction. Regarding the potential move of six ministry-affiliated agencies including the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority to Busan, Hwang said, "It will probably need to happen," adding that "relocation should be pursued through sufficient discussion and consensus-building." He noted that "there will likely be considerable agreement on the necessity of relocation."
Hwang identified leading the "Arctic shipping route era" as his top priority if appointed minister. "The Arctic route is being actively considered as an alternative amid the Middle East situation," he said. "The Arctic shipping route era is an inevitable trend, so we must prepare preemptively." He added that he would pursue developing the maritime capital region and strengthening maritime industry competitiveness in the same context.
Regarding his nomination, Hwang cited his 27 years of experience in maritime and port policy at the ministry. "I believe my ability to lead the Arctic shipping route era and contribute to developing the maritime capital region was considered," he said. "As a Busan native, I will pursue regional development initiatives more responsibly than anyone."
Born in Busan in 1967, Hwang graduated from Busan Dong High School and Seoul National University's Department of Judicial Studies. He entered public service through the 38th Higher Civil Service Examination and served as director of Port Logistics Planning, Maritime Policy, and Maritime Safety, as well as ministry spokesperson and head of Planning and Coordination. He was dispatched to the Presidential Office during the Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in administrations and most recently served as chairman of the International Cooperation Committee at the Korea Maritime Cooperation Center. His nomination comes 81 days after the previous minister's resignation.