China, South Korea resume marine protection cooperation
Beijing and Seoul will conduct joint environmental research in the Yellow Sea as part of efforts to develop and preserve marine resources
China and South Korea will conduct joint environmental research in the Yellow Sea as part of efforts to develop and preserve marine resources, the Seoul government said Thursday.
The research indicates a resumption of joint efforts to protect the environment of waters between the two countries that had lasted for 12 years since 1997, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
A press release from the ministry said: “Through the joint research that will be resumed this year, the countries will be able to set up a scientific and organized database of information on the marine environment in the Yellow Sea.”
The decision to resume the research cooperation came at the end of a three-week summit of officials from the two held on South Korea’s southern resort island of Jeju.
The two countries will each investigate about 16 pre-selected sites and jointly research four spots in the Yellow Sea.
They will share all research information, including those from their independent research sites, according to the ministry.
The research will check 25 items related to the level of water pollution and 15 others concerning seabed sediments that may help identify deposits of natural resources.
“Through this joint research and other international projects, the government will continue working to make a cleaner Yellow Sea by reducing an inflow of pollutants from South Korea and China to the Yellow Sea,” the ministry said.