The impact of institutional arrangement on ocean governance: International trends and the case of Korea

Abstract

After the Chapter 17 of Agenda 21 recommended integrated management for ocean and coastal management system, many countries undertook institutional arrangement in the government structure for efficient ocean governance. From such country cases, we can abstract 5 types of institutional change for ocean governance: type 1) Inter-ministerial commission or committee; type 2) Administration under the ministerial level of department; type 3) Administration under the ministerial level plus inter-ministerial commission or committee; type 4) Ministerial level of department; Type 5) Ministerial level of department plus inter-ministerial commission or committee.It is also supposed that an institutional arrangement can impact on the ocean governance through their elements in various ways, which was proved in the case of Korea. In Korea, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fishery (MOMAF) established in 1996, which belongs to type 4 and had affected the ocean governance very positively, thus making integrated ocean policy, excellent coordination among related ministries and increasing the constituency. However, the dismantlement of MOMAF in 2008 has affected the ocean governance negatively. Reflecting the frequent government restructuring, type 1, 3 or 5 can also be more recommended in case of Korea. This shows how important an appropriate institutional arrangement is for integrated ocean governance and sheds light on the direction for the future institutional arrangement of the ocean sectors in each country.