A heated competition is looming between the nation’s major port cities in the east and west to host a new ministry in charge of maritime and fisheries affairs.

A key aide to President-elect Park Geun-hye suggested Friday that the new authority to be created under her presidency be headquartered in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province.

Reviving an independent maritime and fisheries branch is a key campaign pledge of Park. She had promised to establish the headquarters in Busan during her campaign speeches in the southeastern port city.

Kim Kyung-jae, senior vice chairman of the national unity committee on the presidential transition team, said he will propose changing the host city to Mokpo as part of efforts to promote balanced regional development.

“The revived ministry of maritime affairs and fisheries is supposed to go to Busan. But I am considering moving it to Mokpo,” he told a radio talk show.

He added that he already talked of the plan with people from Jeolla and they welcomed it.

“I am preparing the necessary documents. I plan to submit a proposal to the transition committee so the matter can be openly discussed,” he added.

But he said it is still his personal opinion.

The former lawmaker hailing from the Jeolla region said his plan would help soothe the region, which has been sidelined by the nation’s industrialization since the 1960s when Park’s father President Park Chung-hee ruled the nation.

“Rather than electing a prime minister who hails from Honam (Jeolla), this will be a more direct policy that will appease their regional sentiments,” he emphasized.

South Jeolla Province and Gwangju harbor unfavorable sentiments toward the president-elect and her late father.

“We will need to debate on this matter very seriously. Then the president-elect will make the final decision.”

By Lee Sang-ju, Intern reporter (sjlee370@heraldcorp.com)