Assemblyman Seo Samsuk, Fisheries Management Transfer Payment System Poorly Designed and 'Performance at Rock Bottom'

Among approximately 29,000 eligible individuals, 7 applied and 6 were selected

Typical desk administration completely disregarding the actual age of fishing village activities

Democratic Party of Korea Assemblyman Seo Sam-seok (Yeongam·Muan·Shinan) ⓒ Asia Economy

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] The sloppy desk administration and lack of results in the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' Management Transfer Direct Payment System are coming under scrutiny.

The purpose of the Management Transfer Direct Payment System is to promote income stability for elderly fishermen who transfer their fishing management and retire, and to encourage the influx of young successor fishermen. However, it is pointed out that due to a design that does not align with its purpose, it has failed to produce results. Out of a total target of 29,751 people, only 7 applied, and 6 signed agreements, which constitutes the entire performance of the project.

Seo Sam-seok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (Yeongam, Muan, Sinan), pointed out the problems of the Management Transfer Direct Payment System, saying, "In an era where the average lifespan is 100 years and the high age characteristics of fishing villages are not considered at all, this desk administration neither contributes to income stability for elderly fishermen nor attracts successor fishermen."

In fact, looking at the age distribution of fishing village members nationwide, those aged 65 to 75, the target age for the Management Transfer Direct Payment System, account for 23.9% (29,751 people) of the total, and those older than the target age account for 18.9% (23,544 people). Support is provided for 10 years starting at age 65, 9 years at age 64, and only up to under 75 years old.

Rep. Seo questioned, "There are more benefits as actual fishing village members, such as fishing compensation, dividends, and fishing activities, so there is no reason to transfer management and retire," and criticized that the policy purpose was not realized, saying, "Who would apply for the Management Transfer Direct Payment System when there are no corresponding benefits for the reduced role of village members?"

Moreover, the fact that only 6 people signed agreements out of the total target population of 29,751 was done on the 5th, just two days before the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' national audit, which seems to be an attempt to cover up with an unconvincing performance, drawing criticism.

Regarding this, Rep. Seo Sam-seok emphasized, "I fully agree with the purpose of the project to nurture successors and contribute to income stability for retiring elderly fishermen, but such sloppy desk administration that fails to realize the purpose of the project and dampens the government's efforts to revive the fisheries industry must not be repeated."

He proposed alternatives, stating, "It is necessary to expand the target age and support period not only for those aged 65 to under 75, who account for 23% of the fishing activity population, but also to make diverse and practical efforts to achieve the project’s purpose, such as registering as 'Honorary Fishing Village Members' so that they can feel pride and maintain their status as 'fishing members.'"

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