Busan Seafood Seeks a Way into Global Supply Chains... Northeast Asian Fish Hub Strategy Discussed

by Kim Yongu

Published 04 Nov.2026 09:12(KST)

21st Busan Fisheries Policy Forum to Be Held at BEXCO on November 4

Assessing Global Logistics Trends and Exploring a Hub for Distribution and Trade

Around 100 Participants from Government, Academia, Research Institutes, and Industry

A forum will be held to discuss how Busan's fisheries industry can respond to changes in global supply chains. Participants will examine international trends in seafood logistics and explore ways to develop Busan into a hub for seafood distribution and trade in Northeast Asia.

Busan City Mayor Jeon Jae-soo announced that the 21st Busan Fisheries Policy Forum will be held at 3 p.m. on November 4 at BEXCO. The forum is organized and hosted by the Busan Fisheries Policy Forum, with support from Busan City, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and Pukyong National University. Around 100 people are expected to attend, including representatives from the government, universities, research institutes, organizations and associations related to seafood distribution, and businesses.

The forum will focus on changes in the global seafood supply chain and ways to strengthen logistics competitiveness. Professor Kim Bong-tae of Pukyong National University will deliver the keynote address, titled "Global Trends in Seafood Logistics," examining changes in the international logistics environment and supply chains.

Next, Lee Seong-woo, senior research fellow at the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), will present "Measures to Strengthen Seafood Supply Chains to Establish a Northeast Asian Fish Hub." He is expected to outline supply chain strategies needed for Busan to establish itself as a hub for seafood distribution and trade in Northeast Asia.

Kang Jun-seok, distinguished professor at Korea Maritime and Ocean University and former vice minister of oceans and fisheries, will chair the panel discussion. Panelists will include Yang Young-jin, director general for fisheries policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries; Hong Soon-heon, special advisor for policy coordination to Busan City; Ma Chang-mo, head of fisheries research at the Korea Maritime Institute; Jang Ha-yong, senior researcher at the Busan Development Institute; Park Byeong-yeom, chairman of the Fisheries Wholesale Dealers Association; and Lee Sang-ha, CEO of Seonkyung. From the perspectives of the government, local governments, research institutes, and the distribution industry, they will discuss policy challenges for expanding seafood supply chains and establishing logistics hubs.

Related events will also be held. A Fisheries Policy Forum pavilion will operate at the 2026 Busan International Seafood Expo, taking place at BEXCO from November 4 to 6, and promotional events for Busan's outstanding seafood products will also be held.

Shim Jae-min, head of Busan City's Maritime Capital Strategy Office, said, "Amid a rapidly changing international trade environment, this is an opportunity for industry, academia, research institutes, and government to jointly explore a sustainable future for Busan's fisheries industry and strategies for global supply chains."