Kim Seong-beom resigns as Oceans vice minister, seen running in Seogwipo by-election

Kim Seong-beom, vice minister of oceans and fisheries, submitted his resignation on the 28th and left public office. He held a farewell ceremony that day at the ministry’s building in Busan and formally stepped down. His resignation, however, had not yet been accepted. 

Political circles said Kim is expected to run in the June 3 by-election for a National Assembly seat in Seogwipo City. With the farewell ceremony held before his resignation was accepted, the ruling camp appeared to be moving quickly to recruit him. 

The current Seogwipo lawmaker, Wi Seong-gon, has been confirmed as a candidate for Jeju governor and is expected to resign on the 29th. Kim is widely seen as the pick to fill the candidate field in what is considered a Democratic Party stronghold. 

Kim, a Jeju native, spent his school years in Namwon-eup, Seogwipo, and has held a range of senior posts in the oceans and fisheries sector. Analysts have also credited him with handling key issues — including the ministry’s relocation to Busan — during a roughly four-month vacancy in the minister post. 

At the farewell ceremony, Kim exchanged final greetings with staff and expressed both apology and gratitude to employees who endured the move to Busan. 



* This article has been translated by AI.

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