1. Reason for Enactment

As the Marine Leisure and Tourism Promotion Act has been enacted (Law No. 20178; promulgated on January 30, 2024; effective from January 31, 2025) to manage and preserve sustainable marine leisure and tourism resources by determining the matters regarding the promotion of and policies for marine leisure and tourism, to support the activation of marine leisure and tourism by developing the infrastructure for marine leisure and tourism activities, and to support the improvement of national health, enhancement of welfare, and development of the national economy, this legislation is intended to determine the matters delegated by the Act and the matters required for their implementation.

2. Main Contents

A. Definition of marine leisure and tourism (Article 2 of the draft) 

The enactment defines the activities provided under the Presidential Decree as activities that use cruise ships and tourist submarines and visits to marine parks and theme parks, etc. in addition to the definition provided under Article 2 of the Marine Leisure and Tourism Promotion Act. 

B. Types of marine leisure and tourism industries (Article 3 of the draft)

In order to specify the detailed industries eligible for promotion and support in consideration of the unique characteristics of the marine leisure and tourism sector, the revision defines the types of industries, including the fishing industry, marina industry, water and underwater leisure industry, industry related with fishing village tourism activities, cruise industry, and marine therapy industry.

C. Establishment of a comprehensive marine leisure tourism plan (Article 4 of the draft)

1) The enactment stipulates that the comprehensive marine leisure and tourism plan should include the matters regarding the promotion, development, and support of the marine leisure and tourism industry and the matters regarding the expansion, distribution, and support for the development of marine leisure and tourism products, etc.

2) Minor matters that do not require deliberation by the Marine and Fisheries Development Committee and consultation with Mayors/Do Governors, refer to cases such as reflecting changes caused by the revision of the Act or the enactment, revision or abolition of other laws, or incorporating the content of plans established under other laws.

D. Enforcement of a comprehensive marine leisure and tourism promotion plan (Article 5 of the draft)

1) The enactment stipulates that the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries shall establish and implement an implementation plan by the end of February of each year in accordance with the comprehensive marine leisure and tourism promotion plan.

2) When establishing an implementation plan, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries may, if required, request the heads of the relevant central administrative agencies and city/provincial governors to submit all necessary materials.

E. Plan related with marine leisure and tourism (Article 6 of the draft)

When establishing or revising a plan related with marine leisure and tourism in accordance with Article 5 of the Marine Leisure and Tourism Promotion Act, the enactment stipulates that “Other plans related with marine leisure and tourism policies prescribed by Presidential Decree” that consistent with the comprehensive plan mean the basic plan for the activation of marine training and marine culture, the basic plan for water leisure safety management, and the basic plan for the management and restoration of tidal flats, etc.

F. Scope and method of conducting status surveys (Article 7 of the draft)

1) Status surveys and statistics should include the status of marine tourism industry companies, the employment situation of such companies, the status of their business activities, and demand for marine tourism policies, etc.

2) The status survey and the preparation of statistics may be conducted in writing or face to face, and may also be conducted by electronic methods such as via the information and communication network or e-mail, etc.

G. Standards for the designation of professional agencies (Article 8 of the draft)

1) The enactment stipulates that corporations—possessing the technical expertise and professional capabilities required for marine leisure tourism analysis, PhD-level professionals, proven performance in investigations, research, and evaluations, as well as the organization, personnel, and financial ability necessary for conducting surveys and compiling and disseminating statistics—may be designated as specialized institutions.

2) The enactment stipulates that specialized institutions shall be designated in full consideration of the applicant organization's work performance capabilities and status of professional personnel; and the applicants seeking designation as specialized institutions shall submit an application form accompanied by documentation proving compliance with all designation requirements.

H. Articles of the Marine Leisure and Tourism Association (Article 9 of the draft)

1) The enactment prescribes the purpose, name, location of the main office, content of business, and matters regarding the general meeting and the board of directors as the matters to be included in the Articles of Association.