This study presented politic proposals and diverse utilization-type in coastal areas by
analyzing results of reviewed related-statements of marine environment during the one year
period of 2007 by Marine Environmental Impact Assessment Center. Total of 358 cases were
reviewed, which was a significant increase from 270 in 2006. Consultation on the utilization of
sea areas (CUSA) accounted for the largest number of 165 (46.1%) and it was followed by 104
cases of environmental impact assessment (EIA) (29.0%) and 89 cases of prior environmental
review (PER) (24.9%). As such, evaluation statements (EIA+PER) related to consultations of the
Ministry of Environment accounted for approximately 54% of the entire cases reviewed. To
analyze the overall results of reviewing marine-related evaluation statements, utilization and
planning were conducted by 47.9%, 38.4% and 13.7% in the South Sea, West Sea and East Sea of
Korea, respectively. In evaluation statements (EIA+PER), port construction, industrial complex
construction, urban management plan and road construction took up most of the part by 40.9%,
20.2%, 10.4% and 7.3%, respectively. In terms of CUSA-statement, it was evaluated that
consultations were mostly carried out on use and reclamation of public water surface in coastal
areas and on sea aggregate extraction process in EEZ. The largest number of plans for coastal
use were established for Jeollanam-do, followed by Gyeongsangnam-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeonggi-do. In particular, development plans were concentrated
on Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangnam-do with stable marine environment and outstanding
view of the nature. In most cases, these regions are adjacent to the areas designated as a sea area
for environmental management and fisheries resources protection zone. Therefore, conflicts
exist between development and preservation. Also, rather than random development, more
detailed marine environmental impact assessment, gathering of public opinions and politic
harmony are essentially required. For efficient coastal management and environmentally sound
and sustainable development, fulfilling consistent and transparent coastal policies as well as
active and reliable decision making to center on coastal environment by management bodies
will be important.