Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Launches “Public Institution Functional Reform TF”… Discusses Employment Succession and Prohibition of Unfavorable Treatment

Discussion on Functional Adjustment and Efficiency Strategies for Public Institutions Targeted for Reform
Kickoff Meeting on Port Authority Integration Scheduled for September 8

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has set up a dedicated team to reorganize the functions of public institutions in the maritime and fisheries sector and streamline overlapping or similar functions among agencies. The ministry plans to use this initiative to address matters such as employment succession and prohibiting disadvantages in working conditions before and after mergers or consolidations.

On September 7, the ministry announced the launch of the “Public Institution Functional Reform Task Force (TF),” with the participation of key public institutions under its jurisdiction.

A panoramic view of Busan Port New Port.

On September 3, the government released its plan for advancing the functions of public institutions, which includes merging Busan Port Authority, Incheon Port Authority, Ulsan Port Authority, and Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority into “Korea Port Authority” (provisional name). In addition, port security and management corporations, which were separately established for each port authority, will be integrated into the “Korea Port Security Facilities Agency” (provisional name).

The National Maritime Museum, the National Incheon Maritime Museum, and the National Uljin Maritime Science Museum—which have all been performing similar roles in preserving and exhibiting maritime artifacts and promoting maritime culture—will be integrated into the “Korea Maritime Culture Promotion Agency.” General affairs and accounting functions will be unified, while the individual science centers and museums will focus solely on their core exhibition and cultural functions.

The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology and the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, whose research functions overlap, will be merged into the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology. The Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority and the Korea Institute of Aids to Navigation, both of which handle maritime traffic safety work, will be integrated into the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority to prevent excessive fragmentation of functions and roles and to unify administrative service channels.

The ministry will leverage this task force to develop a detailed functional reform roadmap and promote its swift implementation. The ministry also intends to discuss concrete measures on issues that may arise on site, such as employment succession, prohibiting unfavorable treatment before and after mergers or consolidations, and providing incentives for such mergers or consolidations.

In line with the task force’s launch, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will hold a kickoff meeting for the Public Institution Functional Reform Task Force on September 8, chaired by Vice Minister Nam Jae-heon. The heads of the four port authorities will attend the kickoff, where they plan to discuss the formation of a “Port Authority Merger Taskforce” and key matters necessary for integration.

Minister Hwang Jongwoo of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated, “The core of this functional reform is to organically link dispersed functions so that public institutions can focus on their essential roles. The Ministry will strengthen communication with major stakeholders such as public institution executives and staff, labor unions, and local communities, and will minimize any inconveniences that may arise during the reform process.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.