Toward a Marine Protected Areas Act: How International Norms and Domestic Politics Interact

Key Points

• The research examines the motivations and factors leading to South Korea's commitment to establish marine protected areas and relevant legislation.
• Analyzed the backdrop of the South Korean government's stance on marine protected areas.
• Examined international norms and evaluations regarding illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
• Investigated conflicts among stakeholders related to limitations, enforcement, compensation, and authority distribution.
• Considered both international and domestic perspectives in the creation of marine protection policy.
• The South Korean government plans to designate 30% of marine areas as protected by 2030.
• The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced the intention to legislate a Marine Protected Areas Act by 2025.
• International norms emphasize the need for improved marine governance, influencing domestic policy discussions.
• Conflicts among stakeholders showcased how interests are negotiated in the marine protected area expansion process.