SEOUL, April 18 (AJP) - Lee Jae-myung, a leading presidential contender from the Democratic Party (DP), pledged Friday to relocate the ocean ministry to the southern port city of Busan to strengthen South Korea’s maritime competitiveness.
Through a social media post, Lee said he would move the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan to make the city “the undisputed center of South Korea’s maritime leadership” and to ensure “field-oriented policymaking.”
He also vowed to relocate public institutions related to shipping and logistics, establish a specialized maritime court, and provide customized financial support for regional industries, startups, and manufacturers in the southeastern part of the country.
For the Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, Lee promised to create an industrial belt focused on battery production and build a cluster for next-generation auto parts. He also pledged to promote a bio industry belt in the region and turn it into a national hub for biotech and vaccine development.
Later in the evening, Lee is scheduled to join fellow candidates Kim Kyung-soo, former South Gyeongsang Governor, and Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon in the DP’s first televised presidential primary debate. The 80-minute broadcast will feature a broad policy discussion on domestic politics, the economy, foreign affairs, and national security. It will offer candidates an early opportunity to contrast their visions ahead of the June 3 election.
Lee enters the race as the clear frontrunner. According to a National Barometer Survey released Thursday, Lee received 45 percent support in hypothetical three-way matchups against rival conservatives, including former labor minister Kim Moon-soo, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, and former justice minister Han Dong-hoon.
In terms of overall presidential suitability, Lee led with 39 percent, far ahead of other contenders, each polling in the single digits.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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