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[Newsletter No.35] Four Sites First Designated as Korea's National Marine Ecological Park
CBD-CHM Newsletter Vol. 35
Four Sites First Designated as Korea's National Marine Ecological Park
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) established the Strategy for the Designation and Operation of National Marine Ecological Parks in cooperation with relevant ministries and announced it at the Economic Ministers Meeting on Tuesday, December 2 for the designation and systematic management of National Marine Ecological Parks.
In line with the targets set by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD), the MOF has been promoting the expansion of marine protected areas to designate 30% of Korea's jurisdictional waters as protected areas1) by 2030. However, under the existing passive and regulatory policies, it has been difficult to expand protected areas.
In particular, growing public demand2) for marine ecotourism activities such as tidal flat ecological experiences and continuous development requests3) from local governments seeking to attract tourists by utilizing marine ecological resources have highlighted the need for a new conservation approach.
Accordingly, the MOF introduced the National Marine Ecological Park system4), under which the central government directly designates parks to realize marine ecosystems where conservation and sustainable use coexist through the responsible use of outstanding marine ecological resources.
Following the establishment of the strategy, the MOF designated four sites with high marine ecological value and concrete project plans as Korea's first National Marine Ecological Parks: Garorim Bay in Chungcheongnam-do, Sinan, Muan, and Yeoja Bay in Jeollanam-do, and Homi Peninsula in Gyeongsangbuk-do.
Garorim Bay is an area of high marine biodiversity including habitats for spoteed seals. The Sinan and Muan mudflats are listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Yeonja Bay has high environmental value as a migratory bird habitat, while the Homi Peninsula is a representative protected area on the east coast where protected marine species such as Phyllospadix japonicus are widely distributed.
The designated marine parks will be managed as balanced spaces for conservation and use through a three-tier spatial management system. The parks will be divided into key conservation zones and buffer zones5) (1㎞ offshore), as well as sustainable use zones6) (500m on land).
Following the Economic Ministers Meeting, the MOF plans to complete the designation of the National Marine Ecological Parks within this year after deliberation by the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Development Committee.
Under the vision of "Sharing the Benefits of Marine Ecosystems Together: National Marine Ecological Parks," the MOF will steadily implement the Strategy for the Designation and Operation of National Marine Ecological Parks with the aim of attracting 10 million visitors annually by 2030.
1)
(Marine protected areas) A total of 9,191 km², accounting for 2.09% of Korea's jurisdictional waters as of November 2025.
2)
Trends of protected areas visitors: 2.1 million (2020) → 2.33 million (2021) → 2.79 million (2022)
3)
Preliminary feasibility study for the Homi Peninsula conducted from November 2024 and Yeoja Bay selected as a project subject to preliminary feasibility study in November 2025
4)
Article 43(2) Designation of National Marine Ecological Parks newly added to the Conservation and Management of Marine Ecosystems Act in December 2022.
5)
(Buffer zones) Implementation of marine environment research and maritime area management
6)
(Sustainable use zones) Establishment of facilities including observation facilities, conservation centers, and learning facilities.
