Average Sea Level Along Korean Coast Risen 10.7cm Over 35 Years

Over the past 35 years, the coastal sea level in Korea has risen by an average of 3.06mm per year, totaling approximately 10.7cm.

Samching-i Haean-ro runs along the coastline. It is almost level with the sea surface, offering the pleasure of walking while looking at the sea at eye level. The sea, with sailboats drifting, looks calm and leisurely.

On the 19th, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced this result after analyzing coastal sea level observation data in Korea from 1989 to 2023. The National Oceanographic Research Institute under the Ministry analyzes data collected from 21 coastal tide observation stations and has been calculating and announcing the annual sea level rise rate since 2009.

The recently announced rise rate over the past 35 years (3.06mm per year) slightly increased compared to the previously announced average rise rate over 34 years (3.03mm per year).

Over the past 35 years, the average sea level rise rate by sea area was highest along the East Coast, including Ulleungdo, at 3.46mm per year. This was followed by the West Coast (3.20mm per year) and the South Coast (2.74mm per year). By observation point, Ulleungdo recorded the highest rise rate at 5.11mm per year, followed by Pohang, Gunsan, Boryeong, and Sokcho.

In particular, over the recent 10 years (2014?2023), the sea level rose by about 3.9cm (3.88mm per year). This is approximately 1.1cm more than the previous comparable period. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated, “This suggests that the coastal sea level has risen more rapidly in the past 10 years.”

Kang Do-hyung, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, said, “Monitoring and predicting sea level rise and building comprehensive data management systems are very important for preventing damage caused by the climate crisis,” adding, “The government will continue various policy efforts, including establishing scientific monitoring and prediction systems for marine and polar environments and ecosystems affected by climate change.”

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