Jeonnam Province Wins Maritime Boundary Dispute Against Gyeongnam Province

Gyeongnam Province Files Constitutional Court Petition for Maritime Boundary Adjustment

Constitutional Court Decides to 'Dismiss'... Current Maritime Boundary to Be Maintained

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] The maritime boundary dispute between Jeonnam and Gyeongnam, which lasted for five years, has been settled in favor of Jeollanam-do.

According to Jeonnam Province on the 25th, the Constitutional Court dismissed Gyeongnam Province's claim in the ruling on the 'authority dispute trial regarding the maritime boundary between Jeonnam and Gyeongnam' and upheld Jeonnam Province's position to maintain the current maritime boundary.

The maritime boundary between Jeonnam and Gyeongnam decided by the Constitutional Court reflects the topographic map published in 1918.

It has been used as an administrative boundary for over 70 years since the Local Autonomy Act was enacted in 1949.

The issue originated in 2011 when 18 Gyeongnam-based gillnet fishing vessels illegally fished by intruding into Jeonnam's maritime boundary. They were convicted by the Supreme Court in June 2015.

In response, Gyeongnam Province filed an authority dispute trial with the Constitutional Court in December 2015, requesting to abolish the previously recognized maritime boundary between the two regions and change it to an equidistant median line as the maritime boundary.

Jeonnam Province responded to the authority dispute trial through various means, including hiring additional prestigious law firms besides the existing legal representatives, submitting petitions signed by members of the National Assembly, mayors, county heads, provincial council members, city and county council members, social organizations, and fishermen, and issuing relay statements.

It is analyzed that the interest from all walks of life in Jeonnam, along with the active participation and support of the residents and citizens of Yeosu, became the driving force behind the victory in the authority dispute trial over the maritime boundary.

Jeonnam Province urged Gyeongnam Province to take active measures so that fishermen from both regions respect the current maritime boundary and fish safely, in accordance with the Constitutional Court's decision.

Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam Province, said, "We warmly welcome the Constitutional Court's decision, which judged to protect the living grounds of our residents," and added, "Building on this maritime boundary conflict, we will cooperate and coexist on a super-regional scale with Gyeongnam Province in various fields such as co-hosting the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP), creating a new growth tourism belt and marine tourism road along the southern coast, and speeding up the Gyeongjeon Line between Busan and Mokpo."

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