Transfer of Korean Marine Forecasting Technology to Colombia... Additional Marine Observation Buoys Installed in the Caribbean Sea

[Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 26th that it will commence the third year of the "Colombia Marine Forecasting System Research Capacity Support Project," which transfers South Korea's advanced marine forecasting technology to Colombia.

An official from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated, "South Korea's marine forecasting system was developed and researched following the 2007 Hebei Spirit oil spill accident and has been actively utilized to respond to various marine disasters and accidents," adding, "It has international-level competitiveness to the extent that the technology has been transferred to Indonesia and Vietnam."

Colombia is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, a circum-Pacific orogenic belt, and is greatly affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis. It is the only South American country bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, but lacks a systematic marine forecasting system, making it difficult to respond to marine disasters and accidents.

Accordingly, the Colombian government requested the establishment of a marine forecasting system from South Korea as part of the official development assistance (ODA) projects in the marine and fisheries sector in 2016 and 2017. This request was accepted, and from 2018, the Colombia Marine Forecasting System Research Capacity Support Project (2018?2021), with a total budget of 2 billion KRW, was launched. Through this project until last year, one marine observation buoy was installed in the Caribbean Sea, and researchers from the Colombian National Oceanic Agency were invited to South Korea for buoy operation training.

This year, an additional marine observation buoy will be installed in the Caribbean Sea, and wave forecasting systems along the Pacific coast and three-dimensional coastal circulation forecasting systems will be established. Infrastructure necessary for operating the marine forecasting system (such as cluster computers) and education and training to strengthen marine research capabilities will also be supported.

Seo Jeong-ho, Director General of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "Since our marine and fisheries science and technology possess international competitiveness, it is necessary to expand strategic cooperation with various coastal countries," adding, "We expect this project to serve as an opportunity to elevate South Korea's status in the Latin American region."