Introduction of 'Port Facility Security Supervision System'... Enhancing Expertise Through Continuous Task Execution

Partial Amendment to the "International Ship and Port Facility Security Act" Promulgated on the 18th

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] Starting February next year, the 'Port Facility Security Supervisor System,' which is dedicated to the guidance and supervision of port security, will be introduced. The purpose is to strengthen expertise through continuous work performance by dedicated port security officials.

On the 17th, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced that the partial amendment to the 'Act on the Security of International Voyage Ships and Port Facilities' containing this content will be promulgated on the 18th.

First, to prevent inefficient work performance caused by frequent replacement of port security officials and to enable systematic and continuous work performance, the Port Facility Security Supervisor System will be introduced. Considering the qualification standards of similar fields such as aviation security supervisors, railway safety supervisors, and maritime safety supervisors, port facility security supervisors will be appointed from public officials and private experts with specialized knowledge in port security fields such as port facility security inspections and ship security inspections. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries expects that the expertise of the work will be greatly enhanced by dedicating the guidance and supervision of port security.

To improve the convenience of port facility operators and users such as passengers, the 'Temporary Port Facility Security Inspection System' will also be introduced. Port facility operators will be able to conduct pilot operations of security facilities and equipment within six months if they meet at least the minimum security requirements, even before officially operating the port facilities.

In addition, to prevent terrorism such as kidnapping, bombing, and shooting on ships in navigation, a legal basis will be established to subdivide and specify the types of prohibited hazardous items. From now on, users of ships and port facilities will be able to check prohibited items in advance, and security management is expected to be carried out more efficiently accordingly.

The Temporary Port Facility Security Inspection System and the announcement of prohibited hazardous items will be implemented from August 2020, six months after promulgation, and the Port Facility Security Supervisor System will be implemented from February 2021, one year after promulgation.