Hwang Jong-woo, nominee for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, emphasized on the 3rd that "the relocation of HMM and ministry-affiliated agencies to Busan is connected to developing Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang Province into a true maritime capital region."
Hwang made the remarks while arriving at his confirmation hearing preparation office at Busan Port Authority in Jung-gu, Busan. He stated, "It is necessary to create a maritime and fisheries cluster where public and private sectors cooperate closely."
He added, "We need to establish a virtuous cycle where the maritime capital strategy and the strategy to strengthen maritime industry competitiveness positively influence each other. Within that larger framework, the public agency relocation issue and HMM relocation issue will be addressed and implemented."
Regarding the relocation of six ministry-affiliated agencies including the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority to Busan, Hwang said, "We will probably have to do it." He added, "The relocation should proceed through sufficient discussion with mutual understanding and consensus. I believe there can be significant agreement on the necessity of relocation."
Hwang identified leading the "Arctic shipping route era" as his top priority after taking office. He explained, "Leading the Arctic shipping route era and genuinely developing the maritime capital region are top priorities. The Arctic route is being actively reviewed as an alternative due to the Middle East situation, and this era is inevitably approaching."
Regarding President Lee Jae-myung's nomination, Hwang analyzed, "I believe the President judged that my 27 years of experience at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in various positions could help lead the Arctic shipping route era, develop the maritime capital region, and strengthen maritime industry competitiveness."
He continued, "Additionally, being from Busan myself, I believe there is an expectation that I can pursue these tasks with more passion and dedication than anyone. I will do my best not to disappoint those expectations."
Hwang was born in Busan in 1967 and graduated from Busan Dong High School and Seoul National University's Department of Judicial Studies. He began his public service career through the 38th Higher Civil Service Examination, primarily handling maritime and port policies at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. He served as Director of Port Logistics Planning, Director of Maritime Policy, Spokesperson, Director General of Maritime Safety, and Director General of Planning and Coordination.
During the Roh Moo-hyun administration, he worked at the Blue House as an administrative officer for five years, and was also dispatched to the Blue House during the Moon Jae-in administration.
Before President Lee's nomination, he served as Chairman of the International Cooperation Committee at the Korea Maritime Cooperation Center. Hwang's nomination comes 81 days after the position became vacant following former Minister Jeon Jae-soo's resignation.