(Research): The Sustainable Use of Marine Living Resources in the Central Arctic Ocean: The Role of Korea in the Context of International Legal Obligations

Abstract

Following the conclusion of the Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean, the Arctic and non-Arctic States, as well as Arctic Indigenous communities, are facing new challenges in managing the expected increase in human activities in the Central Arctic Ocean and in preserving and protecting the marine environment there. While the Agreement reflects a special responsibility in relation to the sustainable use of marine living resources in the Central Arctic Ocean that will be taken by all States Parties, certain distinctions between the Arctic and non-Arctic States in terms of their legal obligations still exist. Since the Arctic has no single international governance regime, it contains diverse and fragmented legal mechanisms that present questions to those States Parties. What is the spatial scope of the international law applicable to the Central Arctic Ocean? What are the legal obligations that the States Parties are bound to respect for ensuring the long-term conservation of marine living resources beyond national jurisdiction in the Arctic Ocean? Recognizing the role of non-Arctic States in the sustainable management of the Central Arctic Ocean, long-term sustainability would likely require the contribution of key non-Arctic States, such as Korea.This article reviews key aspects of the evolving international regime relating to the Central Arctic Ocean. It also gives an overview of Korea’s international legal obligations and domestic institutional foundations for the pursuing sustainability of the Arctic region.KeywordsUN SDGsMarine Living ResourcesCentral Arctic OceanInternational LawArctic PolicySouth Korea