부산 해사국제상사법원의 글로벌 경쟁력 제고를 위한 사법 인프라 구축 방안 = Judicial Infrastructure Development for the Busan Maritime and International Commercial Court: A Comparative Approach to Global Competitiveness

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

On February 12, 2026, Korea enacted legislation establishing Maritime and International Commercial Courts (MICCs) in Busan and Incheon, with a target opening date of March 2028. Despite ranking fourth globally in fleet size and leading in high-value-added shipbuilding, Korea has long lacked specialized maritime judicial infrastructure, with annual legal service outflows estimated at over KRW 500 billion. This study argues that the mere establishment of the court is insufficient, and identifies three critical challenges for the Busan MICC to function as a genuine international hub: establishing an International Chamber permitting English-language proceedings; strengthening judicial expertise in foreign law, particularly English maritime law; and reforming vessel arrest procedures to global standards, including recognition of P&I Club Letters of Undertaking (LOU). Drawing on comparative analysis of Singapore’s SICC and the Netherlands’ NCC, this study proposes a three-phase ‘Busan-model International Chamber,’ examines the optimal legislative path balancing Supreme Court Rules and special legislation, and presents scenario-based synergy estimates with the BIFC maritime finance cluster. Legislative and administrative priorities required before the 2028 opening are set out accordingly.