Busan is good

Busan Metropolitan City Announces Groundbreaking Housing Support Measures for Relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries… First Step Toward Successful Settlement in Busan

내용

Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) has officially announced its housing support measures in response to the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan.

The relocation of the MOF, targeted for completion within this year, is being pursued with significant speed and determination. However, considerable disruption among MOF employees is anticipated. To address this, the city has established housing support measures aimed at encouraging employees’ early settlement by substantially easing housing burdens, while also laying the foundation for permanent residence.

The housing space plan follows a two-track approach: ▲[Short-term] provision of 100 family residences for relocation within this year ▲[Long-term] priority allocation and special housing supply to promote permanent settlement.

[Provision of 100 Family Residences for Relocation Within This Year]
As an initial measure, the city will invest approximately 35 billion KRW to directly lease 100 apartment units within Busan for a period of four years, and provide them to the MOF as family residences for relocated employees.

The 100 family residences represent a figure far exceeding expectations and offer a bold solution to challenges faced by relocating families, such as strict loan regulations and higher rental costs compared to Sejong.

[Priority and Special Housing Supply for Permanent Settlement]
To encourage long-term settlement of MOF employees as Busan citizens, the city will also promote priority allocation of apartments at construction cost and special housing supply within both public and private development sites.

Busan plans to work closely with the MOF to finalize specific plans, taking into account the final location of the new MOF headquarters and the supply schedule.

In addition to housing, Busan will also provide residential incentives for relocated employees and their families. These include a one-time “Relocation Settlement Grant” to encourage family relocation and a monthly “Stabilization Support Grant” to assist employees’ settlement during the housing stabilization period.

To support children’s adaptation to new educational environments, a “Scholarship for Children” will be provided for elementary, middle, and high school students, while a “Childcare Subsidy” will be given for preschoolers to ensure stable childcare conditions.

Furthermore, additional payments will be made to supplement the existing “Childbirth Subsidy” provided by the government and city. Lastly, “Brokerage and Registration Fee Support” will be offered to cover real estate transaction costs incurred when employees secure housing in Busan.

These preemptive housing measures are unprecedented in scale compared to similar cases of public institution relocations in other regions. They are symbolic and extraordinary policies that take into account: ▲population inflow effects through family relocation and revitalization of the local economy ▲positive ripple effects in attracting related public institutions and companies.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “For MOF employees, the relocation does not simply mean a change of workplace but a fundamental shift in their entire family living environment. From this perspective, we have made efforts to address their practical challenges by securing family residences on a large scale and preparing housing measures that can provide real support.”

He further emphasized, “For Busan to stand at the center as a true growth engine for Korea’s rise as a leading maritime nation, it is essential not only to ensure the successful settlement of the MOF but also to strengthen its functions, attract public institutions and the HMM headquarters, foster advanced marine industries, and cultivate top talent. Comprehensive government-level support is imperative, and I urge the MOF to work actively with us in promoting these initiatives.”

Meanwhile, the city is preparing comprehensive support measures covering housing, education, childcare, leisure, and the construction of new government buildings through the Busan-MOF Policy Council and dialogue with the MOF labor union.

The final support measures, including standards, duration, and amounts, will be confirmed in October following detailed consultations. However, all these support measures can only be implemented as planned if their legal basis is secured through relevant special acts. Accordingly, two special bills currently pending in the National Assembly must be promptly enacted through bipartisan cooperation.