Breaking News: President Lee Jae-myung said Thursday that he will "accelerate the recovery of the global shipping supply chain and build a shipping supply chain that we can fully control with our own hands."
Speaking at the 31st Ocean Day commemoration ceremony held in Yeongdo-gu, Busan, Lee said, "Based on the recognition that the shipping industry is not merely a logistics industry but a core industry that firmly underpins the nation's economy and security, we will nurture our shipping and port industries as national strategic industries." He added, "We will build a mutually beneficial ecosystem between shipping and shipbuilding, broadly fostering marine insurance, ship financing, and shipping legal services to strengthen the foundation of our shipping industry. We will also do our utmost to cultivate competent seafarers."
Lee also pledged, "By bringing together the pioneering spirit of senior shipping veterans and the drive of young maritime professionals, we will spare no support so that our shipping industry can command the world's seas." He emphasized, "We will realize the vision of a true maritime power that connects the world through the sea, opens paths to peace, and creates foundations for shared prosperity right here in Busan and the southeastern region."
"Based on its overwhelming potential, we will link Busan and the southeastern region as a new economic zone brimming with possibilities and opportunities," Lee said. "We will expand logistics infrastructure connecting ports, airports, railways and roads, and build a marine tourism belt encompassing the entire southern coast to grow it into a 'maritime economic zone' that competes confidently with the world."
At the same time, he proposed, "We will fully open a new era of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in Busan." He continued, "We will swiftly establish not only shipping companies and related public institutions but also the maritime court whose legislation has been completed, and as soon as National Assembly discussions conclude, we will rapidly complete a maritime cluster integrating even a southeastern regional investment corporation."
