Maritime authorities said Tuesday a Japanese delegation of government officials and business figures will visit South Korea to examine the feasibility of using South Korea as a transit point for goods shipped between China and Japan.

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MOMAF) said some 20 Japanese delegates from Maiharacho, Shiga Prefecture, will arrive here Wednesday to visit Busan and Gwangyang ports to examine their operation systems and the development process in the surrounding regions.

The ministry added that, during the delegation's three-day visit, they will also meet with MOMAF officials to learn about South Korea's plan to transform the nation into a logistics hub of Northeast Asia and various business incentives offered to foreign firms wishing to operate here.

Late last month, the South Korean government unveiled a plan to attract foreign firms' distribution centers to the southern cities of Busan and Gwangyang in line with its policy to turn the two cities into transit ports for freight heading to Japan from China.

The MOMAF said that Maiharacho officials are planning to establish a logistics hub in the region and connect Sino-Japanese sea and land routes.