[Column] Toward Unwavering Maritime Sovereignty and a Safe, Clean Sea

The word "opportunity" originates from the Latin word "portus," meaning "harbor." This etymology suggests that true opportunities arise not by staying comfortably within the harbor, but by facing the rough waves and winds out at sea. While the turbulent and perilous sea always carries risks, it is also the starting point for opening up new paths.

Today, we are facing unprecedented uncertainty at sea. Geopolitical tensions surrounding the waters of the Korean Peninsula persist, and the occurrence of large-scale maritime disasters due to abnormal weather is becoming more frequent. In addition, with the opening of the Arctic route and the resulting reorganization of global supply chains, we are now confronting various uncertainties at sea.

Maritime disasters are no longer risks confined to specific times or types, but can occur at any time across coastal and offshore areas, fishing vessels, leisure craft, and passenger ships. These risks are increasingly becoming complex and interconnected. Amid these changes, the Korea Coast Guard is committed to making the lives and safety of the public its top priority, striving to realize "unwavering maritime sovereignty and a safe, clean sea for all."

We will strengthen penalties for illegal foreign fishing vessels that threaten the livelihoods of our fishermen, including increasing the amount of security deposits, and respond more decisively through special crackdowns. For large-scale maritime drug crimes, which can involve mass inflows, we will conduct intensive crackdowns using advanced equipment such as underwater drones. At the same time, we will bolster surveillance of major smuggling routes to fundamentally block cross-border crimes.

To ensure that everyone can enjoy the sea with peace of mind, we will build a trusted maritime safety network that the public can truly feel. We will introduce coastal patrol drones to monitor high-risk areas, expand control zones for more thorough safety management, and increase the number of specialized rescue teams with professional rescuers to respond swiftly to complex maritime disasters.

Additionally, to manage our seas more precisely and comprehensively, we will establish a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) system and utilize advanced surveillance assets such as satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles to ensure seamless management of our maritime territory.

The upcoming year 2026 marks a new starting line for the Korea Coast Guard. All 13,000 officers and staff are determined to fulfill their duties with unwavering resolve to protect the lives and safety of the people to the very end.

Furthermore, we pledge to always listen to voices from the field so that they may be reflected in our policies, and to maintain continuous communication with the public in order to create a safer sea together. As guardians of the sea who protect the people, we ask for your warm interest and support for the Korea Coast Guard’s ambitious challenges ahead.

Jang Insik, Acting Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard