Busan Port's image as an advanced port to be boosted On the occasion of the Busan APEC 2005 conference, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MOMAF) is adopting a prudential policy by applying thorough harbor terror prevention countermeasures. First of all, the Ministry raised the level of port security in Busan and other Korean ports for the duration of the APEC meetings. In regard to the international passenger wharfs, including passenger terminals of Incheon, Pyeongtaek, Kunsan as well as Sokcho, a danger wharf, and a danger wharf of Ulsan and Masan Port, port security corresponding to second grade threat level has been enforced. A spokesperson at MOMAF said: "Relevant institutions will strengthen searches by stages regarding arrivals and departures, personnel and vehicles and beef up its collaboration system with associated organizations in the interests of the collection of antiterrorism information". Moreover, for the purpose of harbor terrorism prevention, MOMAF is planning to strengthen awareness and education as well as publicity against terrorism for persons involved in enforcing harbor security. Notably, the MOMAF spokesman gave the assurance that the Ministry would make doubly sure of security for the successful hosting of the APEC Busan 2005 Summit through organic collaboration among relevant institutions via the 24-7 Marine Safety Information Center. Seven persons daily from Nov. 7 through Nov. 20 will man this round-the-clock Information Center on a rotational basis. In addition, MOMAF is planning to utilize the 2005 Busan APEC Summit as a momentum to publicize Busan Port's development phase proactively and to boost the Port's image as an advanced port by participating actively in the IT international exhibition pavilion, as well as Busan Port environment consolidation business. In particular, the Ministry has set up a Ubiquitous technology-based U-Port exhibition pavilion in the Summit's IT exhibition to be held during the Busan APEC Summit conference period. The MOMAF spokesman explained further: "This U-Port exhibition pavilion is to showcase the present state and the future development phase of Busan Port, Ubiquitous logistics handling system, IT fusion shipbuilding machinery and materials industry product as well as technology through about 30 booths over seven days from Nov. 15 through 21 at BEXCO". In addition, the Ministry will be promoting the so-called "Peace and Hope Sea-Lane-Peace Mission Event," a cruise ship shipping service business passing through Korea, China and Japan. The three nations will commemorate the restoration of independence after 60 years with the cooperation of associated institutions during the APEC Summit in Busan. In the marine products field as well, MOMAF is planning to pave the way for a moment to nurture and develop Busan as a central venue for the global marine products trade in the 21st century by holding the 3rd Busan International Marine Products Trade EXPO after the APEC Summit. At this EXPO, which will be held from Nov. 24 through 27, in BEXCO, 500 companies from about 25 countries are slated to attend. MOMAF Minister Keo-don Oh has been encouraging APEC member countries to actively support the Busan APEC Summit continuously through his participation address at the 2nd APEC Ocean Related Ministerial Meeting (Bali, Sept. 16-17, 2005) and at the recent Luncheon Meeting with Ambassadors from Latin America in Seoul. Recognizing the value of the symbolic meaning of the host city and the importance of the seas and oceans in the regional economic cooperation, he stressed that in such meetings: "I strongly suggest that we, ocean-related ministers, devote ourselves to ensuring that the 2005 APEC Summit will deal with issues regarding ocean-related regional cooperation in a more intensive manner."