1. Purpose
■ This research examined the potential and viable solutions that the ocean and fisheries sector possess concerning the impact of its internal and external environments, imminent current issues and anticipated future challenges in the era ...
1. Purpose
■ This research examined the potential and viable solutions that the ocean and fisheries sector possess concerning the impact of its internal and external environments, imminent current issues and anticipated future challenges in the era of climate crisis and the great transformation. Subsequently, this study derived a number of implementable tasks for establishing a new maritime power as well as tasks to be pursued with an eye toward 2050. Through this effort, this study ultimately aims to offer a vision for constructing a new maritime power and realizing the dreams of the people via the ocean.
- Looking beyond 2046, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (hereinafter called “MOF”), this study intends to put forward the fundamental direction of Korea’s ocean and fisheries policy and the national management philosophy, leading up to 2050. Furthermore, this study aims to establish a vision for the ocean and fisheries sector to spearhead the next 100 years for the new Republic of Korea.
2. Methodology and Features
1) Methodology
■ This study utilized methods including a literature review, surveys, workshops by sector, consultations with experts, forming a task force with the MOF, and conducting a STEEP and SWOT analysis.
■ This study includes works by forming a joint taskforce between the MOF and KMI. KMI researchers took charge of forming working groups by sector necessary for the research, leveraging expertise through consultations, workshops, and more, authoring research papers, and assisting in the creation of the MOF's vision plan (draft). The MOF has established a collaborative system with each bureau and division centered on the marine policy division under the Marine Policy Bureau.
2) Features
■ This study differentiates itself from other studies by establishing a future vision with 2050 as the cornerstone; it adopts a methodological approach by creating a task force with the MOF and conducting surveys; it methodically proposes 10 frontier tasks, short-term, mid, and long-term tasks along with implementation measures; regarding performance utilization, it includes content that can be utilized to declare the vision on Ocean Day in the short term, while serving as a tool for mid-to-long-term oceanic and fishery policy through collaborative efforts with the responsible Ministry; it endeavors to conceptualize a new maritime power, an initiative undertaken by the Korean government.
3. Result
1) Summary
■ A STEEP analysis proposed the future of oceans and fisheries in 2050 under the four keywords of climate, people, space, and technology.
■ A SWOT analysis examined conditions for oceans and fisheries in Korea. This analysis resulted in the following four strategies to build a new maritime power in 2050 and implement specific tasks; leading the global ocean economy through super-gap technology (SO strategy); changing and promoting the public awareness of oceans and fisheries as a future promising industry (WO strategy); responding to the global economy and climate crisis based on technology (ST strategy); and strengthening the resilience and self- sustainability of oceans and fisheries through support and promotion (WT strategy).
■ According to a survey on Korea’s maritime power, the importance of all components consisting of maritime power is expected to increase compared to the current level.
- Concerning the significance of each component of maritime power, science and technology have been ranked highest. The current order of importance, ‘economic industry > military security > science and technology’, has transitioned to ‘science and technology > economic industry > military security’. This highlights the fact that science and technology will emerge as an increasingly crucial component of maritime power due to the growing demand for maritime resource development and an increase in unmanned maritime activities.
- Moreover, in comparison to the current state, the significance of regulations is projected to grow substantially, together with the importance of science and technology. This underscores the escalating need for new ocean-related regulations that the international community must address, not just because of territorial and jurisdictional disputes among states, but also due to the expansion of the ocean industry, technological advancements, and climate change. It also represents the increasing necessity for international cooperation to collectively tackle global challenges such as environmental pollution and climate change. Consequently, the demand for the formulation of new regulations is anticipated to rise.
■ In this context, this study explained the concept of ‘new maritime power’ with the following three keywords compared to the existing concept of ‘maritime power’: Transition, Extension of the concept of maritime power and Expansion of the space that maritime power projects.
■ In a survey conducted among the MZ generation, those in their teens and twenties, to derive a vision for the future of a new maritime power by 2050, it was discovered that these future generations regard ‘marine environment and ecosystem conservation (climate environment)’ as the most critical facet of the ocean's future in 2050.
- This study explained the concept of ‘new maritime power’ with the following three keywords compared to the existing concept of ‘maritime power’: Transition, Extension of the concept of maritime power and Expansion of the space that maritime power projects.
- According to a survey on Korea’s maritime power, the importance of all components consisting of maritime power is expected to increase compared to the current level.
■ The future vision for a new maritime power in 2050 was presented.
- Through researcher brainstorming, expert consultations, MOF Task Force sessions, workshops, and surveys, this study identified eight goals, 29 implementation tasks, and detailed action plans for each task within four key areas: climate, space, people, and technology.
■ Considering the ‘4Cs’ - Connection, Collaboration, Comprehensiveness, and Continuity – this study identified 10 frontier tasks to realize the future vision of the ocean sector in 2050.
■ This study also presented the ‘2050 Future Image’, an infographic and summary of key contents to show the public about what the world, along with the ocean and fisheries sector, will look like if the tasks set out in the New Ocean Power Future Vision are accomplished.
2) Policy suggestions and policy-making activities
■ Establishment of a pan-governmental organization to implement ocean policies
- This study proposed the establishment of the ‘National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’ through the expansion of the functions of the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency and the foundation of the Office of Ocean Environment and Climate Policy’. Furthermore, it suggested the establishment of a pan-governmental committee or organization to promote national ocean policies in a comprehensive manner.
■ Establishment of a ‘National Ocean Strategy’ based on the 2050 Vision for a New Maritime Power
- Together with the establishment of a pan-governmental organization to promote ocean policies, a ‘National Ocean Strategy’ needs to be established by each relevant government department under the theme of national ocean policy of becoming a ‘new maritime power’.
■ ‘Improvement of legal systems in the ocean sector’ to carry out the 2050 future vision of ocean and fisheries
- In addition to improving the legal system for the adoption and implementation of international maritime regulations in Korea, this study suggested the formulation of the ‘Act on the Establishment and Operation of the National Ocean Commission’ and the ‘Basic Plan for the Promotion of Ocean Energy Development’, which are necessary for the construction and implementation of new maritime power.
■ Development and Operation of the ‘K-Ocean Power index’ to serve as an international benchmark
- This study proposed the designation of a dedicated agency to develop and operate an index to assess the maritime power of countries around the world and to serve as a basis for establishing policies to ensure that Korea continues to maintain its status as a new maritime power.
■ Continued securing of ‘R&D’ budget to support the development of future super-gap ocean technology
- This study proposed that procurement of an R&D budget is vital for the development and acquisition of super-gap technology. Furthermore, the nurturing of global unicorn companies is required, complemented by an array of supports for firms to penetrate the global market and secure marketplaces, transform the ocean and fisheries industry into a new sector, and cultivate companies based on the circular economy of oceans and fisheries.
■ Creation of an ecosystem to foster highly-skilled talents in ocean and fisheries and connect them with jobs
- By strengthening the functions of the Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology, the institute should be expanded and reorganized to become an organization capable of nurturing future high-quality professionals within the ocean and fisheries sector.
■ (Policymaking activities) 1) From inception, this study was designed with policymaking at its core, initiating a task force in collaboration with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and hosting policy consultation meetings and workshops. 2) Additionally, the 'New Maritime Power Support Directorate', composed of the researchers involved in this study, was established within KMI. During the study, the researchers engaged in a series of support activities such as partnering with the MOF, formulating policies based on the research findings, and assisting in the government's strategy for constructing a new maritime power based on the research results.
3) Expected benefits including policy contribution
■ Building on the ‘2050 New Maritime Power Future Vision’, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries derived a five-year plan, scheduled to be enacted over the upcoming five years, and promoted the declaration of the future vision to the public at an appropriate time.
- The collaboration with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries continues to be carried out to integrate policies into detailed proposals, such as improving the legal system and establishing a national ocean strategy to fulfill the future vision of a new maritime power by 2050.