[2021 National Audit] Fisheries Management Transfer Payment System 'Complete Failure'... Only One Recipient Nationwide

Only 20 Million Won Actually Spent Out of 4 Billion Won Budget

Kim Taeheum: "Increase Age Eligibility and Payment Amount for Direct Payment System"

A panoramic view of Shinhung Village, Geumdang, Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do, selected as a project site for the 2022 General Agricultural and Fishing Village Development Contest by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. (Photo by Asia Economy DB)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] It has been revealed that the Fisheries Management Transfer Direct Payment System, introduced by the government to revitalize the increasingly aging fishing villages, is being ignored on the ground.

Source: Office of Kim Tae-heum, People Power Party

According to data received by Kim Taeheum, a member of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, Food, and Maritime Affairs Committee from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, only six people nationwide applied for the management transfer direct payment, which the ministry began implementing in March this year. Only one person actually received the direct payment.

This figure is far below the ministry's target of 300 people. Considering that the six applicants all belonged to the same fishing village cooperative in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, only one out of the 2,039 fishing village cooperatives nationwide participated in the direct payment system. As a result, only 20 million won out of the 4 billion won budget was actually spent.

Source: Office of Kim Tae-heum, People Power Party

The Management Transfer Direct Payment System provides up to 14.4 million won annually to fishers aged between 65 and under 75 who transfer their fishing village cooperative membership to fishers under 55. The goal is to encourage generational change in fishing villages.

However, considering that the average income of households in their 60s is close to 60 million won and that the retirement preparation age in fishing villages is over 80, the system is criticized as unrealistic. Rep. Kim pointed out that although the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is spending more than 200 million won on promotion, overlooking policy flaws, no clear effects have emerged.

Rep. Kim emphasized, "Due to the current government's desk-bound policy making, the Management Transfer Direct Payment System has become a shiny but hollow promise," and added, "A realistic reform of the system, such as raising the eligible age and the direct payment amount, must be implemented."

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