Skin Diving and Skin Scuba Prohibited Near Jikdo, Gunsan...Fines Up to 1 Million KRW for Violations

Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Designates First 'Underwater Leisure Activity Prohibition Zone'

Range of Prohibited Areas for Underwater Leisure Activities.

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 21st that, effective from the 22nd, the waters within a 3-nautical-mile (5.556 km) radius from the western tip of Jikdo, Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk, will be designated and notified as a 'Prohibited Zone for Underwater Leisure Activities.'

The newly designated Jikdo underwater leisure activity prohibited zone is an area used as an Air Force shooting range. Due to unexploded ordnance and other hazards arising from shooting training conducted about 220 days a year, diver safety is a concern. Accordingly, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries reviewed the designation of the underwater leisure activity prohibited zone at the request of the Air Force and the Coast Guard, and finalized it after an administrative notice at the end of last year.

Underwater leisure activities such as skin diving and skin scuba diving are prohibited in the underwater leisure activity prohibited zone. Violations will result in a fine of up to 1 million won in accordance with relevant laws.

Kim Tae-kyung, Director of the Marine Leisure Tourism Division at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "We have designated the underwater leisure activity prohibited zone for the first time to create safe conditions for underwater leisure activities," adding, "The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will promote policies to activate underwater leisure activities, including ensuring safety and discovering beautiful underwater landscapes."