![Scenes from the 2026 Chungnam Maritime and Fisheries Policy Council [Photo: Chungnam Province]](https://contents-cdn.viewus.co.kr/image/2026/04/CP-2023-0070/image-9bd5eca8-e879-4b50-ae82-f82c4adf95f5.jpeg)
South Chungcheong Province (Chungnam) has teamed up with partner agencies to confront a multifaceted crisis driven by prolonged high oil prices, intensifying port competition, and maritime safety concerns. The cooperation framework to develop maritime and fisheries as a future growth engine has now been activated.
On April 2, Chungnam Province convened the 2026 Chungnam Maritime and Fisheries Policy Council at the Taean Marine Healing Center. Executive Vice Governor Jeon Hyung-sik, Maritime and Fisheries Bureau Director Lee Dong-yu, Daesan Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office head Park Sang-hyeok, and roughly 80 officials from municipal and county governments, special administrative agencies, and related organizations attended.
Twenty agencies, including the provincial government, local governments, and the Daesan office, participated. They reviewed major policies and discussed implementation plans focused on 24 proposals and 19 collaborative action items.
The meeting concentrated on improving port functions and strengthening competitiveness. In response to the province's request to dredge sediment at Janghang Port, the Daesan office said it will begin the project in the second half of the year to ensure vessel safety.
Regarding the Daesan office's proposal to expand revitalization subsidies for Daesan Port, the province and Seosan City agreed to cooperate on enhancing incentives to prevent shipping lines from withdrawing and on establishing reasonable pilotage and towage fee standards to boost port competitiveness.
On maritime safety, the Boryeong Coast Guard proposed installing multipurpose safety facilities, while the Taean Coast Guard proposed enacting an ordinance to prevent shore-foraging accidents. The province urged related agencies to take preemptive measures to protect aquaculture from climate-driven damage, such as elevated summer sea temperatures.
Officials also stressed the need for coordinated measures by the province, local governments, and related agencies to stabilize livelihoods, noting that the protracted Middle East crisis has pushed up oil prices and is weighing on coastal village economies.
Jeon Hyung-sik, the executive vice governor, said, \"Chungnam's maritime and fisheries competitiveness begins with breaking down institutional barriers through open communication and practical collaboration. Building strong partnerships will ensure Chungnam's seas become a central driver of South Korea's future growth.\"
Since 2015, Chungnam Province and the Daesan Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office have held the policy council regularly to address maritime and fisheries issues and strengthen cooperation.
