Goheung "Returning-to-Fishing School" Project Stalled by Ministry's Irresponsible Administration

Project Site Selected Through Public Contest, but Budget Allocation Ignored
Moon Geumju: "A Classic Case of Desk-Bound Administration Using Local Governments as Mere Formalities"

Geum Moonju, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Moon Geumju, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Goheung, Boseong, Jangheung, and Gangjin in South Jeolla Province, criticized the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (hereafter referred to as the Ministry) for selecting Goheung County as the site for the establishment of a "Returning-to-Fishing School" but failing to allocate national funding, resulting in the project being stalled for an extended period. He pointed out that a key project aimed at increasing the inflow of population and revitalizing fishing villages is now at risk of being derailed due to the government's irresponsible administration.

The Returning-to-Fishing School is a field-oriented technical education institution for those wishing to return to fishing and those aspiring to settle in fishing villages. In May 2023, the Ministry held a public contest for local governments to establish the school and, in June of the same year, officially announced the selection of Goheung County as the final site, aiming for establishment in the second half of 2024.

However, after the selection, the Ministry failed to allocate the originally promised 500 million won in national funding, effectively neglecting the advancement of the project. Furthermore, the budget for the establishment of the Returning-to-Fishing School was not included in the 2026 government budget proposal, making the future of the Goheung Returning-to-Fishing School project uncertain.

During this process, Goheung County suffered significant administrative and financial losses. In 2023, the county spent 4.99 million won on a planning study for the project and has consistently visited the National Assembly each year to request budget inclusion.

Moon emphasized that, despite the severe aging of fishing villages, the influx of young people and returning fishers is essential. He strongly criticized the government for neglecting the Returning-to-Fishing School project, an important support measure for these groups, stating that such inaction only accelerates the disappearance of fishing villages.

On October 30, Moon stated, "The Goheung Returning-to-Fishing School is a key infrastructure for expanding the population of returnees and new settlers and for ensuring the settlement of fishing villages, yet it is not being advanced in a timely manner due to the government's irresponsible administration." He added, "The Ministry's failure to make efforts to secure national funding after selecting the project site is clearly its responsibility."

Moon further remarked, "Conducting a public contest without allocating a budget is the epitome of desk-bound administration that merely uses local governments as a formality." He urged, "The Ministry must establish a transparent and reliable structure that takes full responsibility for the entire process, from public contest to selection and budgeting."

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