One Step Closer to Designating Dokdo of the West Sea, 'Gyeongryeolbiyeoldo', as a Nationally Managed Coastal Port

Aerial photo of Gyeongryeolbiyeoldo. Provided by Chungnam Province

[Asia Economy (Hongseong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The ‘Gyeongnyeolbiyeoldo,’ known as the Dokdo of the West Sea, is highly likely to be designated as a national managed coastal port. Gyeongnyeolbiyeoldo is located at the westernmost point of Chungnam Province. A national managed coastal port is a harbor primarily designated for national security or territorial waters management, or for ship evacuation during adverse weather or emergencies.

According to Chungnam Province on the 17th, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries recently included the preliminary designation of Gyeongnyeolbiyeoldo as a national managed coastal port and development strategies for seven ports in the province in the ‘2030 Port Policy Direction and Promotion Strategy.’

First, if Gyeongnyeolbiyeoldo is designated as a national managed coastal port, ship docking facilities will be installed like on Dokdo, making marine territorial preservation activities easier and allowing the public to visit the island.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ ‘2030 Port Policy Direction and Promotion Strategy’ is a plan that includes policy directions for 60 ports nationwide over the next 10 years and is incorporated into the 4th Basic Port Plan, the highest-level plan in the domestic port sector.

With the name of Gyeongnyeolbiyeoldo appearing in the Ministry’s port policy direction and promotion strategy, it can be seen as a step closer to designation as a national managed coastal port.

The province expects that Gyeongnyeolbiyeoldo will be newly designated as a national managed coastal port to protect marine territory and ensure the safety of fishermen and the public.

Previously, in November 2018, the province officially requested the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to designate and develop Gyeongnyeolbiyeoldo as a national managed coastal port. Additionally, Chungnam Governor Yang Seung-jo repeatedly requested the designation in meetings with the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries in December last year and May this year.

The grounds for the request included marine territorial protection and national security, fishery resource conservation, development of a key hub port in the central West Sea region, marine tourism resource development, support for installing marine observation equipment, and reduction of social costs.

In particular, marine territorial protection and national security were cited as issues that cannot be overlooked in practice. For example, the area around Gyeongnyeolbiyeoldo is rich in fishery resources, and illegal fishing by Chinese vessels is reportedly rampant. However, due to the long distance from the mainland, when the coast guard escorts Chinese vessels or ships seek shelter due to bad weather, maritime security gaps and budget waste caused by long operation times are inevitable.

If Gyeongnyeolbiyeoldo is designated as a national managed coastal port, Chungnam will have its first, and the country will have its twelfth, national managed coastal port. Furthermore, from the time of designation, Gyeongnyeolbiyeoldo and its surrounding waters will be systematically managed at the national level.

The designation of Gyeongnyeolbiyeoldo as a national managed coastal port is expected to be finalized through feasibility review and amendments to the Port Act Enforcement Decree.

Jo Won-gap, Director of the Marine and Fisheries Bureau of Chungnam Province, said, “With Gyeongnyeolbiyeoldo included in the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ port policy direction and promotion strategy, the possibility of its designation as a national managed coastal port has increased,” adding, “The province will focus administrative efforts to ensure that many Chungnam port-related projects are included in the 4th Basic Port Plan and pass the Central Port Policy Committee, using this as an opportunity to leap forward as the center of the Pan Yellow Sea region.”

Meanwhile, Gyeongnyeolbiyeoldo consists of three islands: Donggyeongnyeolbido, Seogyeongnyeolbido, and Bukgyeongnyeolbido, named after the shape of birds flying in formation.

Currently, among the three islands of Gyeongnyeolbiyeoldo, Donggyeongnyeolbido (277,686㎡) and Seogyeongnyeolbido (128,903㎡) are privately owned, while Bukgyeongnyeolbido (93,601㎡) is classified as state-owned land.

Among them, Seogyeongnyeolbido has a history of attempted purchase by Chinese nationals in 2014.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.