There is a growing voice about reestablishment of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries(MOMAF), which was abolished with launch of the new government in 2008. Shippers' Journal recently had an interview with the legislator Lee Jae Gyoon to ask about his opinions with regard to this issue.

△ The presidential candidates are bringing up reestablishment of MOMAF as one of their pledges. What do you have in mind on this subject?

It's really inspiring that all the presidential candidates are promising to reestablish MOMAF. There are two important points to be mentioned on this.

The first is the formation of a national consensus. A clear perception gap can be found between the people engaged in the maritime and fishery's industry and the public in general. Certainly the industry people like us keenly feel the necessity of MOMAF.

That's why I have been doing a number of activities to form an extensive consensus at the national level including opening 'a political debate for the realization of a marine power in the next administration' as well as specialists' meetings.

The second important thing is the future vision for the marine administration. Although the reestablishment of MOMAF is being mentioned as one of the presidential election pledges, no serious discussions have taken place as to what details should be included.

Now we have to start drawing a picture of the administration combining all the contents that have been discussed for the reestablishment of MOMAF from traditional shipping and port logistics, fishery resources, marine territory up to marine tourism & leisure, shipbuilding, climate change, marine science and technology.

△ The on-board absentee ballot system is to be introduced from the oncoming presidential election. What effect will this system have on the shipping industry?

The on-board absentee ballot should have started much earlier in the aspect of guaranteeing the basic voting rights of the people. The system will be able to guarantee 15,000 seamen the political rights.

It is surprising that there voices could be directly reflected on the state affairs, particularly presidential election and I am also delighted to see that their rights can be protected.