[2026 National Assembly Audit] Concerns over harm to fishers if South Korea joins CPTPP... Minister Hwang Jongwoo: "Will outline support measures for fishers next week"

At the Oct. 23 comprehensive audit by the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee
Hwang Jongwoo: "Existing support, including tax-exempt fuel for fishing vessels and the Fisheries Management Stabilization Fund, will remain in place"

Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jongwoo said on October 23 that the government was "currently preparing" measures to address damage and provide compensation amid concerns about harm to fishers if South Korea joins the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries plans to explain the relevant details to fishers next week and provide information on support measures as well.

Hwang made the remarks in response to a question from Rep. Lee Yang-soo of the People Power Party during a parliamentary audit of the ministry at the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee. Lee said, "Before joining the CPTPP, the government must prepare specific measures to address damage and provide compensation."

Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jongwoo answers a question from a member of the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee during a comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and other agencies at the National Assembly on the 23rd. Yonhap News

Lee stressed, "With the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy having expressed the government's determination to pursue CPTPP membership, the government must do more than just persuade fishers and present practical support measures. What is needed is a plan, not persuasion." The previous day, Minister Kim Jeong-kwan said during a comprehensive audit by the National Assembly's Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee, "As the minister in charge of trade, I will make sure we join the CPTPP."

Hwang replied, "We are preparing [the measures] now," adding, "When we explain the relevant details to fishers next week, we will also inform them about the support measures." Lee also asked whether support for fishers, including tax-exempt fuel for fishing vessels, the Fisheries Management Stabilization Fund, and subsidies for fishing vessel modernization projects, would remain in place after CPTPP membership. Hwang replied to the effect that the support could be maintained or continued.

Regarding the proposed merger of the port authorities in Busan, Incheon, Ulsan, and Yeosu-Gwangyang into a single Korea Port Authority (tentative name), Hwang said, "We will give it full consideration in a way that does not undermine the competitiveness of the ports." During a parliamentary audit on October 12, Hwang said, "We are drawing up a [merger] plan, taking into account both the public institution merger plan and the purpose behind establishing the port authorities."

Under the public institution functional reform plan announced in September, the government plans to merge the four port authorities and consolidate the institutions responsible for port security and management, which have been operated separately by each port authority, into a single Korea Port Security Facilities Corporation (tentative name). Once the mergers are complete, the number of institutions in the port sector will fall from nine to two, with existing public institutions and their subsidiaries consolidated into two entities.

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