Korea

Marine Protected Areas in the Republic of South Korea

The Republic of South Korea has approximately 2,413 km of coastline along three separate seas. Along its coastline are several hundred small islands. South Korea has several types of MPAs meeting IUCN definitions including, National Parks, Special Islands, Marine Protected Area and Ramsar designated wetlands. The Marine Protected Areas are a new protected area devised in 2006, following the enactment of the 'Law on Conservation and Management of Marine Ecosystem' by Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, which is now a part of the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs. As of 2008, Korea had four designated MPAs, which include sand dune, underwater and small island ecosystems, totaling 70.4 sq km. In addition to these MPAs there are 152 Special Island designations and 4 national parks with marine areas. South Korea’s Marine Protected Areas Center is engaged in developing and effective management and assessment program for the nation’s MPAs.

Sources

Korea MPA Center

Korea Protected Area Forum

Korean Ministry for Environment