RO Korea
Capital:
Seoul
Land Area:
96,920km²
Inland Water Area:
2,800km²
Length of Coastline:
2,413km
The Government of the Republic of Korea promulgated the Framework Law on Ocean and Fisheries Development and its ocean strategy, the Ocean Korea 21 (OK 21), in 2002. These two documents are the backbone of ocean policy of the country. Currently, the government is implementing a 10-year operational plan for the OK 21, which covers most of the commitments on oceans and coasts under the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA). Through the implementation of the OK 21, the government is trying to increase the contribution of the ocean sector to the national GDP from 7% (approximately US$33 billion) in 2005 to 10% by 2016.
The integration of land and ocean management programs in 2008 created the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, and enabled improved implementation of integrated land and ocean policies. One significant consequence of the integration has been demonstrated by the revision of the Coastal Zone Management Act in 2009, which now includes a coastal zoning scheme. Since the enactment of the Coastal Zone Management Act (1999), almost all coastal-located local governments have completed the development of their coastal management plans covering approximately 11,025km of coastline, which accounts for about 91.5% of total coastline of RO Korea. Local governments are currently implementing their coastal management plans.
As ocean health and the marine ecosystem continue to deteriorate, discussions on how to improve the marine spatial planning system of the Republic of Korea are being held in an effort to safeguard sustainability and ensure blue growth. A Master Plan for Marine Space, to be established in 2019, will serve as the government’s highest-level plan for marine space management, providing a framework for building an integrated marine space management system. A marine spatial management plan will be initiated in 2018 starting from the southern coasts of RO Korea and completed in 2021 covering all the coasts. Government priorities and resources, intensity of conflicts in marine spaces, and sustainable use of marine spaces will all be considered in the establishment of the marine spatial management plan, to be implemented on a yearly basis. The main components of the Marine Spatial Planning System will include the following: Coastal Zoning System, Marine Spatial Assessment, Marine Space Suitability Consultation, Research and Technology Development, Oceans and Fisheries Platform, and Participatory and Cooperative Governance.
Focal Points:
Mr. Shin Jae-young (National Focal Point)
Director
Marine Climate and Environment Strategy Team
Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF)
Ms. Hwang Ji-won (Operational Focal Point)
Marine Climate and Environment Strategy Team
Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF)
Ms. Joo-won Lee
Assistant Manager, International Affairs Dept.
Ms. Sunyoung CHAE
Assistant Manager
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
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Integrated River Basin Management Project Newsletter - Edition 5
"Steering the Flow" is the fifth edition of the Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) Project's newsletter, highlighting key milestones and meetings for the last quarter of 2024 and the beginning of 2025. From the IRBM Project's participation in the 2024 East Asian Seas Congress and The Pavilion for People at the 2025 World Economic Forum, to the launch of the State of River Basin Guidebook and the ongoing assessment of the interplay between water use conflicts and the water-energy-food-ecosystem security nexus in ASEAN river basins — the IRBM Project is set to steer the governance and management of priority river basins in ASEAN Member States.
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Harmonizing Oceans: Transboundary Strategies for Climate Resilience in North-East Asia
The Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) and ESCAP Subregional Office for
East and North-East Asia jointly organized a session titled “Harmonizing Oceans: Transboundary Strategies for Climate Resilience in North-East Asia”. This session highlighted the role of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) under the Coastal and Marine Spatial
Planning (CSMP) regime in North-East Asia and beyond in fostering regional resilience against climate impacts and promoting ecosystem conservation.Key topics included:
- Understanding Climate Change Impacts: Examining how climate change affects marine ecosystems in this region.
- Applying CMSP Strategies: Sharing successful CMSP strategies and their role in climate-related conservation efforts (e.g., blue carbon, community-led habitat restoration).
- Enhancing Transboundary Cooperation: Discussing how multi-stakeholder engagement can strengthen regional conservation initiatives.
Additionally, the session underscored capacity building and knowledge exchange, providing a platform for member States and relevant stakeholders to share best practices and enhance skills for managing MPAs and addressing regional marine environmental challenges.
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PEMSEA eBulletin - January 2025
Dear PEMSEA community,
Welcome to 2025!
We hope you have recovered from the successes and challenges in 2024 and are ready to step into the new year with firm resolve to work with us in driving synergistic actions and building resilience across the East Asian Seas region.
This January, we’re excited to share updates on our ongoing efforts! Check out our recent study on Harmonizing Blue Carbon Accounting, comparing practices in Japan, Korea, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and VERRA international standards and discover why harmonization is key to effective climate action. Celebrate the milestones of the Marine Plastics ODA Project and the plans for 2025 as we ramp up efforts to tackle marine plastics aligned with global, national, and local targets.
Learn how the East Asian Seas region is fighting the Triple Planetary Crises (TPC) through regional partnerships and stronger collaborations. Discover Yancheng City, a pioneer in digital-green transformation and PNLG’s newest member. Finally, join PEMSEA and the Philippines in celebrating Zero-Waste Month, promoting sustainable waste management for a cleaner, zero-waste future!