South Korea’s Oceans Ministry to Pay $100,000 in Bonuses for Busan Move, UN Ocean Summit Bid

South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will pay a total of 100 million won in special performance bonuses to civil servants credited with visible achievements, including the ministry’s relocation to Busan and winning the right to host the first UN ocean conference in Asia.

The ministry said Tuesday it will hold its first special performance bonus awards ceremony for 2026 on Wednesday. A ministry review committee decided to award a combined 100 million won to 39 employees who carried out eight high-performing assignments.

Busan headquarters of South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. [Photo by reporter Kim Yu-jin]

The Busan relocation task force, led by Director General Kim Seong-won and including Director Kim Han-ul, was recognized for overseeing the entire process — selecting a temporary office site, drawing up the relocation plan, moving the organization and staff, and supporting settlement conditions — and completing the move of about 800 employees and their families in about six months.

Director Seo Jin-hee and Deputy Director Lee Chan-mi were credited with securing South Korea’s bid to host the fourth UN Ocean Conference, the largest and highest-level international meeting in the ocean sector. The conference is scheduled for June 2028 and would be the first held in Asia, the ministry said.

Director Lee Jeong-ro and Deputy Director Lee Eun-jae were recognized for building an LTE-class high-speed internet environment about 50 times faster than existing shipboard internet, improving working conditions and welfare on board. The ministry said they reached an agreement to support high-speed internet service for 300 national essential vessels and designated international vessels starting in February.

Other initiatives selected for special recognition included lifting restrictions on nighttime fishing in coastal waters off Incheon and improving navigation aids by repurposing unused lighthouses.

Minister Hwang Jong-woo said the achievements were meaningful because they produced changes the public and people in the field can feel. He said the ministry will continue working to identify and improve issues so policies lead to better quality of life.

* This article has been translated by AI.

Yujin Kim ujeans@ajunews.com