An official of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries speaks during a press briefing at the Government Complex Sejong, Nov. 13. Yonhap

Korea's oceans ministry said Wednesday it plans to nearly double the size of its marine protected area by 2027 as part of efforts to proactively address climate change.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries outlined the initiative in a report marking the start of the second half of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, emphasizing the goal of building a sustainable marine ecosystem for future generations. Yoon's single five-year term ends in May 2027.

Under the plan, the size of marine protected areas, which currently cover 1.8 percent of Korean waters, will be expanded to 3 percent by the target year.

To tackle marine pollution, the government aims to significantly reduce waste at sea, particularly abandoned fishing gear, such as nets and buoys, which account for 75 percent of the total.

The ministry also plans to expand the deposit system for managing such waste, increasing its coverage from the current 26 percent to 60 percent by 2027.

Additionally, Korea plans to halve its existing 15,000 fishing-related regulations and prioritize controlling the total allowable catch in response to the changing maritime environment.

Korea will also focus on adopting smart and digital technologies to boost productivity in the aquaculture sector, which accounts for 60 percent of the country's seafood output.

"The ministry will make every effort to establish Korea as a leading maritime nation and achieve a vibrant economy driven by the private sector," Oceans Minister Kang Do-hyung said. (Yonhap)