On June 23, 2025, President Lee Jae-myung announced a significant cabinet appointment that has stirred considerable attention in South Korea's political and regional landscape. Jeon Jae-soo, a seasoned Democratic Party lawmaker and the only ruling party representative from the conservative stronghold of Busan, was nominated as the first Minister of Oceans and Fisheries under the Lee administration. This nomination not only marks a pivotal moment for Jeon’s political career but also signals a strategic move to accelerate the long-promised relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries from Sejong City to Busan.
Jeon Jae-soo’s political journey is both compelling and emblematic of perseverance. Born in 1971 in Uiryeong, Gyeongnam, Jeon graduated from Busan Gudeok High School and later earned degrees in History Education and Political Science from Dongguk University. His early political involvement began in 2000 when he supported former President Roh Moo-hyun’s campaign for the National Assembly in Busan’s Buk-Gangseo district. This connection to the Roh administration paved the way for Jeon’s roles within the Presidential Office, including serving as an administrator in the State Affairs Situation Office and Deputy Chief of the 2nd Presidential Secretariat.
Despite initial setbacks—losing bids for Busan Buk-gu office and parliamentary seats between 2006 and 2012—Jeon’s persistence paid off in the 2016 general election. At 45, he defeated Park Min-sik, a former Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, securing his first term in the National Assembly. Since then, Jeon has been re-elected consecutively in 2020 and 2024, becoming the sole Democratic Party lawmaker representing Busan, a city typically dominated by conservative politics. His unique position earned him the self-description as “a blue dot in a red stronghold.”
Throughout his legislative career, Jeon has demonstrated a commitment to cultural and social issues, notably serving as Chairman of the National Assembly Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee since June 2024. His efforts to bridge disparities in the arts and improve conditions for artists have been well recognized. Photographed on June 18, 2025, at the opening ceremony of the Seoul International Book Fair held at COEX in Gangnam, Seoul, Jeon continues to maintain a visible presence in both cultural and political spheres.
However, it is Jeon’s involvement in maritime policy that now places him at the center of a critical national initiative. During the 2025 presidential campaign, Jeon chaired the Democratic Party’s Central Election Countermeasures Committee’s Northern Sea Route Promotion Committee. This role underscored his dedication to advancing South Korea’s maritime logistics capabilities, particularly through developing the Northern Sea Route, which includes strategic ports like Busan.
President Lee Jae-myung’s campaign prominently featured the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, a move aimed at revitalizing the city’s maritime industry and promoting regional balance. Jeon’s nomination as minister is widely interpreted as a clear signal that this pledge will be pursued with renewed vigor. Kang Hoon-sik, Chief Presidential Secretary, emphasized in a briefing that Jeon is “the optimal person to implement the President’s maritime-related pledges,” specifically highlighting the relocation of the ministry and the Northern Sea Route development.
The local response in Busan has been swift and supportive. Civic groups have mobilized, forming the Busan Marine Power Citizen Promotion Council to advocate for the ministry’s relocation. On the very day of Jeon’s nomination, June 23, 2025, several local organizations convened at the Busan City Council Grand Conference Room to launch the council. Their joint declaration strongly urged the government to expedite the ministry’s move, stressing that it represents “the first step to restore Busan’s status as a maritime capital” and would lay the foundation for “balanced regional development and innovation in the marine industry.”
Political figures in Busan have also voiced impatience with the pace of relocation plans. Choi In-ho, Chairman of the Democratic Party’s Busan City Committee and head of the City Administration Evaluation Special Committee, criticized the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries for reportedly planning to complete the move by 2029, calling for faster action. This criticism followed reports that the ministry had prepared a relocation plan to be submitted to the State Planning Committee, only for the report to be halted, causing controversy and raising questions about bureaucratic delays.
Jeon’s own approach to the relocation issue remains cautiously optimistic. In a June 23 phone interview with Yonhap News, he expressed his commitment to making South Korea a maritime powerhouse by preparing for the Northern Sea Route era, stating, “I will do my best to create a maritime powerhouse, South Korea, by preparing well for the Northern Sea Route era and leading it.” When asked about the ministry’s relocation plans, Jeon reserved his comments, indicating that the matter would be discussed in due course.
Jeon’s comprehensive political background, which includes legislative work, executive experience in the Roh Moo-hyun government, and a strong regional base in Busan, positions him uniquely to navigate the complex challenges ahead. His tenure as Chairman of the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee has shown his ability to manage diverse portfolios, and his leadership in maritime policy during the presidential campaign underscores his readiness for the ministerial role.
President Lee’s broader cabinet announcement on June 23 included appointments across 11 ministries, such as Defense, Employment and Labor, Environment, and Unification, reflecting a strategic effort to assemble a capable team to drive his administration’s agenda. Jeon’s appointment as the inaugural Minister of Oceans and Fisheries in this government marks a significant step toward fulfilling one of the administration’s hallmark promises.
As Jeon prepares to assume his new role, the eyes of Busan and the maritime industry are keenly watching. The relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is not merely a bureaucratic shuffle but a symbol of renewed investment in South Korea’s maritime future and regional equity. If Jeon can deliver on this promise, it could herald a transformative era for Busan’s economy and South Korea’s position in global maritime logistics.
With Jeon Jae-soo at the helm, the Lee Jae-myung government appears poised to turn campaign commitments into tangible progress, blending political savvy with regional advocacy to chart a new course for South Korea’s oceans and fisheries sector.
