Pukyong National University

Pukyong National University, Hosts ‘Korea Oceans and Fisheries Grand Forum 2026’

― “Completing Korea’s Maritime Capital Region Is the Nation’s Future!”―Presenting a Future Vision for Korea’s Oceans and Fisheries

― Government, Local Authorities, Industry, and Academia to Gather at Pukyong National University on July 8

― Busan Mayor and Other Leaders to Discuss the Arctic Shipping Route Era and Strategies for the Maritime Capital Region

Pukyong National University (President Sang-Hoon Bae) hosted the Korea Oceans and Fisheries Grand Forum 2026 at Pukyong Convention Hall on the afternoon of July 8.

Held under the slogan, “Completing Korea’s Maritime Capital Region Is the Nation’s Future!”, the forum brought together representatives from the central government, local governments, public institutions in the oceans and fisheries sector, industry, and academia to explore future growth strategies and avenues for cooperation in Korea’s oceans and fisheries sector.

Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing environment―including the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, the full-scale opening of the Arctic shipping route era, and the AI-driven transformation of the oceans and fisheries sector―the event proposed a national-level cooperation platform model linking policy, industry, research and development (R&D), and talent development.

At the forum, Busan Mayor Jae-Soo Jeon, together with representatives from the Busan Metropolitan Government, the central government, and major institutions and organizations in the oceans and fisheries sector, shared a vision for establishing the maritime capital region and strengthening Korea’s competitiveness in oceans and fisheries. Under the theme “Completing Korea’s Maritime Capital Region Is the Nation’s Future!”, participants joined a future maritime vision performance and declared a new leap forward for Korea’s oceans and fisheries sector.

In the keynote address, Tae-Yoo Kim, professor emeritus at Seoul National University, spoke on the theme “Opening the Era of the Maritime Capital Region as a Hub for Arctic Shipping Routes.” He outlined how the development of Arctic shipping routes could reshape the global logistics landscape and explained why Korea should establish a new axis of growth centered on the maritime capital region.

The special dialogue that followed brought together experts in the oceans and fisheries sector to discuss future strategies under the theme “Completing Korea’s Maritime Capital Region Is the Nation’s Future!” The session was moderated by Myung-Shin Ha, Vice President for External Affairs at Pukyong National University. Panelists included Jong-Deok Kim, Chairman of the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency; Jae-Yul Park, Representative of the Busan Development Council for the Maritime Capital; Byung-Gil Ahn, President of the Korea Ocean Business Corporation; and Hee-Seung Lee, President of the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology. They held in-depth discussions on sustainable development strategies for Korea’s oceans and fisheries, including responses to the Arctic shipping route era, ways to enhance the competitiveness of maritime industries, strategies for establishing the maritime capital region, industry？academia？research cooperation, and the cultivation of future talent.

President Sang-Hoon Bae of Pukyong National University said, “The relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan and the opening of the Arctic shipping route era mark a historic turning point in which Korea’s future growth axis is expanding toward the ocean and regional communities. We hope this forum will present a new vision for Korea’s oceans and fisheries and serve as a starting point for connecting policy, industry, research, and talent development to complete a globally competitive maritime capital region.”

Earlier that morning, Pukyong National University also held the Interdisciplinary Seminar on Oceans and Fisheries, joined by seven of its colleges. Experts from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Business Administration discussed “Future Strategies for Arctic Shipping Routes and the Port of Busan,” while the College of Natural Sciences, the College of Fisheries Sciences, and the College of Environmental and Marine Sciences and Technology explored “Smart Oceans and Fisheries Based on AI and Digital Transformation.” The College of Engineering and the College of Information Technology and Convergence addressed “The Present and Future of Super-Gap Marine Science and Technology.” Through these sessions, participants engaged in wide-ranging discussions on the future agenda of the oceans and fisheries sector beyond conventional academic boundaries.

Meanwhile, drawing on the educational and research capabilities it has accumulated as a university specializing in oceans and fisheries, Pukyong National University plans to further expand close cooperation with the central government, local governments, and industry. Through these efforts, the university aims to lead the advancement of Korea’s oceans and fisheries sector and the realization of a globally competitive maritime capital region. <Pukyong Today>