Busan to Provide 100 Apartment Residences for Ministry Relocation... Unprecedented Housing Support Announced

by Kim Yongu

Pubilshed 04 Sep.2025 16:08(KST)

Six Incentives Including Relocation Settlement Grants and Scholarships for Children to Be Provided

The city of Busan (Mayor Park Hyungjoon) has announced an unprecedented housing support plan to help Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries employees and their families settle early as the ministry relocates to Busan.

With the ministry’s relocation accelerating toward completion within the year, the city is directly addressing concerns that family-accompanied moves could become an obstacle.

The city’s housing measures are divided into short-term and long-term plans. In the short term, Busan will directly lease 100 apartment units within this year and provide them as family residences. This initiative, with a budget of approximately 35 billion won, far exceeds the ministry’s expectations. It is expected to offer a practical solution for relocating employees struggling with higher rental and lease prices and stricter loan regulations compared to Sejong.

For the long term, the city will also pursue priority apartment allocations for permanent settlement, as well as special public and private land supplies. Specific plans, including the final location of the new ministry building and timing of supply, will be finalized in consultation with the ministry.

Additional residential incentives for employees and their families are also prepared. These include a “relocation settlement grant” to encourage family moves, a monthly “settlement support allowance,” “scholarships for children” to help elementary, middle, and high school students adapt, and a “childcare grant” for preschoolers. On top of this, the existing childbirth support grant will be increased, and “brokerage and registration fees” incurred during housing arrangements will also be covered.

The city emphasizes that this plan is unprecedented in scale nationwide. Busan explains that not only will this facilitate a net population inflow and revitalize the local economy through family-accompanied relocations, but it will also have a symbolic effect in attracting future public institutions and businesses.

Mayor Park Hyungjoon stated, “The relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is not simply a change of workplace, but a major transformation involving the relocation of entire families,” adding, “Through securing family residences and various support measures, we have prepared a housing plan that will offer practical help to employees.”

He also said, “For Busan to stand at the center of becoming a maritime powerhouse, the successful settlement and functional enhancement of the ministry are essential,” and added, “Comprehensive government support is needed for the relocation of public institutions, the headquarters of HMM, the fostering of new maritime industries, and the cultivation of top talent.”

The city plans to finalize a comprehensive support package in October, in consultation with the ministry, covering not only housing but also education, childcare, leisure, and office construction. However, since all support measures are contingent upon the enactment of relevant special laws, the city explained that the two special bills currently submitted to the National Assembly must be passed in a bipartisan manner.

Busan City Hall