A Study on the Improvement of Marine Environment Policy: Focused on Marine Police Response

The purpose of this study is to select the improvement of marine environment policy as a research subject and examine the appropriateness of its prevention and response. Based on the marine Police Act and the relevant regulations of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the role of the marine police was examined. In addition, interviews were conducted with marine police officers and marine environment officials. The research results derived from this study are as follows. First, regarding the disaster prevention and response of marine pollution, the performance of the marine police is appropriate enough to act on the matter. However, there are opinions suggesting adjustments on division of duties by marine police officers working at the site. Second, new opinions on difficulties regarding duties were found. These include cracking down on foreign-flagged ships, maintaining seabed standards, and implementation of pollution prevention education. In addition, it is judged that suggestions from marine police officers should be reflected in future system operations. As a result, related organizations should actively pursue measures necessary for the development of marine environment policies, while improving marine environment-related systems. Additionally, for effective marine environment management, systematic education should be provided coupled with an efficient mutual cooperation system to prepare for future marine environmental conditions on the Korean Peninsula.