Marine policy in the Republic of Korea

Three main factors — the geopolitical situation, the lack of land area and natural resources, and the socioeconomic agenda — have shaped the marine policy of the Republic of Korea. This paper gives an overview of Korean marine policy, paying particular attention to marine-related issues such as fisheries, shipping and shipbuilding, space creation by reclamation, offshore oil and gas exploitation, deep seabed mining ventures, marine science and technology development, and coastal environmental preservation. The governance for Korean marine policy, and a recent movement to establish a New Ministry of Ocean Industry, are also reviewed