Busan: New Oceans Minister Hwang Jong-woo on Wednesday vowed continued efforts to make the southeastern region into South Korea's maritime capital, with an aim to foster balanced regional growth and boost the competitiveness of the country's shipping and port industries. Hwang made the pledge in his inauguration ceremony held at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries headquarters in Busan, about 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Hwang was newly appointed to replace former Oceans Minister Chun Jae-soo, who stepped down in December amid allegations that he accepted bribes from the Unification Church. Hwang emphasized the need for South Korea to develop the southeastern region, comprising the cities of Busan and Ulsan, along with South Gyeongsang Province, into a maritime hub. He noted that the country faces excessive population concentration in the greater Seoul area and that this initiative will help address this imbalance.

Hwang stated the initiative will also enhance the global competitiveness of South Korea's shipping and port industries. He vowed investment in the sectors for artificial intelligence (AI) transformation and carbon emission reduction, highlighting the importance of technological advancements and environmental sustainability.

Furthermore, Hwang called for preparation for the expansion of Arctic shipping routes, suggesting that early preparation is crucial to avoid future challenges. The minister emphasized that these efforts are in line with President Lee Jae Myung's administration's initiative to help Busan grow into a global maritime and logistics hub in the era of Arctic shipping routes. The oceans ministry had relocated from the central administrative city of Sejong to Busan last year to support this vision.

Regarding the ongoing Mideast tensions, Hwang vowed continued efforts to protect the safety of South Korean vessels and crew members in the Persian Gulf area while minimizing damage to Korean companies.