Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongnam to be developed as maritime capital region; AI mid- to long-term roadmap planned; seafood price stability also stressed

Nam Jae-heon takes the oath of office at his inauguration ceremony as the new vice minister of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on Monday. [Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries]
Nam Jae-heon takes the oath of office at his inauguration ceremony as the new vice minister of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on Monday. [Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries]

Nam Jae-heon, the newly appointed vice minister of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, identified the development of Arctic shipping routes and the AI transformation of the maritime and fisheries sector as his top priorities upon taking office. He outlined plans to develop Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang Province into a maritime capital region and to accelerate the digital transformation of the broader maritime and fisheries industry, marking the ministry's first full year since its relocation to Busan.

"Building on the achievements of the past year, this is a time when the maritime and fisheries sector must leap further and transform faster," Nam said in his inauguration address on Monday. "I will identify and actively pursue key tasks that will allow the entire maritime and fisheries sector to advance to the next level."

He named the development of a maritime capital region in preparation for the Arctic shipping era as his foremost priority.

"As the era of Arctic shipping approaches, I will develop Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang Province into a maritime capital region and create a successful model of locally driven growth," Nam said. "I will ensure the Arctic route pilot operation scheduled for the second half of this year is carried out without a hitch."

He added that he would swiftly draw up a concrete implementation plan for the "Southern Maritime Capital Region Development Strategy" announced in May, laying the groundwork for the maritime capital region.

AI transformation in the maritime and fisheries sector was also highlighted as a major task.

"Global competition over AI dominance is intensifying, yet our maritime and fisheries industry still relies on analog methods," Nam said. "I will quickly establish a mid- to long-term roadmap for AI transformation in the maritime and fisheries sector."

He added that the ministry would actively support startups seeking to apply AI technology to the maritime and fisheries industry.

Nam also stressed the need to manage seafood supply and prices.

"Public concern is growing as seafood supply has become unstable recently," he said. "I will manage seafood supply and prices to dispel fears that across-the-board price increases stemming from the war in the Middle East could feed through to higher seafood prices."

On the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, Nam raised the need to ensure the safety of South Korean vessels and crew members.

"Despite the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the end of hostilities between the United States and Iran, the safety of our crew members and vessels in the Strait of Hormuz remains uncertain," he said.

For his management philosophy, Nam invoked the principle of "haebulyangsoo" — a classical expression meaning the sea accepts all waters without distinction — calling on ministry staff to unite as one team regardless of rank, job classification or background.

"The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has employees from a wide range of job classifications, and the relocation to Busan has brought new members into our ranks," he said. "Let us come together as one team, regardless of rank, classification or individual background, and press forward toward a strong and prosperous maritime nation."

Nam entered public service in 1998 through the 34th technical civil service examination. He is a specialist in ports and shipping, having served as director of the Port Policy Division, head of the Busan North Port Integrated Development Task Force, chief of the Masan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries, director general of the Port Bureau, and head of the Arctic Route Promotion Headquarters. He graduated from Gudeok High School in Busan and studied civil engineering at Yonsei University.


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