© Inho Shin

Gyeongnyeolbiyeoldo, a chain of islands located in the westernmost part of Chungcheongnam-do, is likely to be designated as a national coastal port. Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced some plans for 2030, which include this designation and development of seven ports in Chungcheongnam-do. This designation is pushed in order to protect marine territory and secure the safety of our nation, including fishermen. It is expected that the designation of a national coastal port for the Gyeongnyeolbiyeoldo will be finally decided through feasibility studies and revision of the Enforcement Decree of Harbor Act.
Gyeongnyeolbiyeoldo, named after the shape of birds flying in rows, is composed of three islands: East, West, and North Gyeongnyeolbido. The 277,686-square-meter East Gyeongnyeolbido and 128,903-square-meter West Gyeongnyeolbido are private lands, while 93,601-square-meter North Gyeongnyeolbido with lighthouses is state-owned. It is said that illegal fishing by Chinese fishing boats is prevalent because of the abundant marine resources around the islands.  In 2014, China had tried in vain to buy the West Gyeongnyeolbido for its resources and military strategies.
The national coastal port is a harbor critical to national security or the management of territorial waters because it can be used as a port of shelter to evacuate ships in an emergency like the bad weather conditions. The port is required to deploy a Coast Guard dock for territorial waters management. If the island is designated as a national coastal port, the island and nearby waters will be systematically managed at the national level.
Besides this, Chungcheongnam-do plans to focus on various development projects of its ports including the promotion of transportation, tourism and leisure. The province plans to spend a total of 2.5 trillion won for/ over 10 years, until 2030, to promote 39 projects. Won-gap Cho, Director of Maritime and Fisheries Bureau said, “Thanks to the interest and support of fishermen and other provincial residents and local lawmakers, we have found a solution to designate a national coastal port this time. In order to take a leap forward in the center of the Pan-Yellow Sea region, we will focus our administrative power for our port-related projects to successfully pass the evaluation process of the Central Port Policy Review Committee.”