Breadcrumb
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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PEMSEA EBulletin - June 2024
Dear PEMSEA community,
Welcome to the June e-bulletin.
This month, the Arafura Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Project conducted the Senior Government Officials Meeting to finalize preparations for the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) Ministerial Forum which will be held in Dili, Timor Leste on 19-20 Setember 2024. The month also saw the passing of new fisheries management legislation in the South Fly District of Papua New Guinea.
The annual PEMSEA Network of Local Governments (PNLG) Executive Committee Meeting saw the induction of a new associate member, the Dongying Huanhai Institute for Marine Conservation and Development. PEMSEA's Marine Plastics Project held several Ocean Day initiatives throughout the Philippines, in cooperation with local government, NGOs, and academe. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), China, released a new assessment on China’s coastal and marine ecosystems, documenting challenges and successes for China's marine and coastal areas.
The program for the East Asian Seas Congress 2024 has been released. The congress has four subthemes: Ocean Science, Policy, and Practice; Global Challenges, Local Solutions; Innovation and Digitalization of Ocean Action; and Blue Financing and Investments. We invite all interested parties to register for the Congress, that will take place on 6-8 November in Xiamen. China.
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PEMSEA Annual Report 2023: Thirty Years On: Accelerating Impact for Thriving Coasts and Ocean in the East Asian Seas Region
Thirty years of inclusive sustainable development work in the coastal and marine areas of the East Asian Seas region have brought significant benefits and lasting impacts to PEMSEA partners and communities. The Annual Report 2023 brings you the stories and milestones of the Partnerships, commemorating the thirty years of Partnerships, and looks ahead to a new decade of inclusive and sustainable ocean governance in the East Asian Seas region.
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PEMSEA EBulletin - May 2024
Dear PEMSEA community,
Welcome to the May e-bulletin.
This month, PEMSEA gratefully received many expressions of interest to convene sessions on various coastal and marine themes at the EAS Congress 2024 on 6-8 November 2024, noting the importance of learning exchange and pursuing more collaborative actions to tackle global challenges. The IRBM project has released its second 2024 newsletter, highlighting key progress, including a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) analysis of planned activities to ensure equitable resource distribution and conflict prevention. PEMSEA attended the Asia-Pacific Dialogue on Blue Economy to help build a shared understanding of blue economy and financing. ASEAN has released the Sixth ASEAN State of the Environment Report, and PEMSEA is monitoring the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee's discussions on a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution to incorporate relevant insights into its regional projects.
We would like to take this opportunity to invite all interested parties to register for the East Asian Seas Congress 2024, with early bird rates available until 30 June.