Find a new growth engine in ‘marine mobility’

We need a government agency to take care of marine mobility efficiently.

Rhee Shin-hyungThe author is the dean of the Department of Naval and Ocean Engineering at Seoul National University and former president of the Society of Naval Architects.

Mobility has emerged as the hottest topic for discussion. But it’s regrettable that the meaning has been reduced to transportation or means of movement and limited to equipment that moves on the ground or in the low air. The aggressive promotion of automakers which first used the term may have been successful. But mobility is a more comprehensive concept as it refers to all means and environments needed for the movement of people or objects.

Earth’s nickname is “Blue Marble,” which originated from the nickname of the famous photograph released by NASA in 1972. It got the moniker as most of the planet seen from space was covered in oceans and looks like a blue bead.

For us living on such a planet, the meaning of mobility has to expand away from land and into the sea. At the same time, the concept of mobility should be properly redefined. Since last year, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has presented an ambition to develop Korea into a global maritime powerhouse by 2050 under the banner of “enhancing marine mobility.” Regrettably, the ministry seems to limit marine mobility to the concept of transportation or means of transport. I advocate a new definition of the phrase.

Marine mobility involves “everything that moves in an environment with water.” Therefore, it doesn’t mean just transportation or means of movement; it includes all imaginable marine activities, including defense, energy, environment, agriculture and fisheries and human settlement infrastructure, as well as commonly known maritime transportation and logistics.

Nearly half of the earth is covered by seas, especially the open seas. Although approval by the International Maritime Organization (ISA) is required, the key is what kind of technology a country must dominate the seas. For Korea, the open seas are a space of opportunity. There is an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) 200 nautical miles (230 miles) from Korea’s coast. Korea’s territorial sea is a stretch of 12 nautical miles — and is where economic activities for the country’s interests are allowed. With maritime mobility technology, it is possible to go beyond a small territorial land and expand sovereign territory indefinitely.

It is no exaggeration to say that Korea’s fate depends on trade. The logistics for trade are similar to blood circulation. As a global powerhouse in shipbuilding and shipping, Korea has the capability to take a leading role in the logistics sector, too. The country relies on imports for nearly 100 percent of energy. It is the long-cherished desire of energy-poor countries to use the sea to create new and renewable energy sources or develop new underwater energy sources.

A power plant — a facility which is increasingly being avoided on land — can be built at sea. A city can be built in a marine space, or an industrial complex can be constructed away from the tense Korean Peninsula. Korea can also present a new paradigm that will highlight the existence of its navy in Northeast Asia, where geopolitical tensions exist.

The marine mobility items I list here can converge to “sea power,” which refers to not only physical but also legal, systemic, spiritual and cultural capabilities. Sea power is especially important for a country heavily relying on international relations like Korea. That’s why we need an agency for sea power and overseeing marine mobility.

Under the Government Organization Act, the task of taking care of maritime mobility is distributed among various ministries. The production and construction of marine structures, including ships, are managed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The coastal and port infrastructure and ship management are handled by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. R&D for the future is also managed separately by ministries. A joint research project is often divided into parts. Though vice-ministerial or working-level discussions are held, ministries tend to prioritize their own interests.

It must change now. We need a government agency which takes care of marine mobility efficiently. An agency with the sincerity and will for marine mobility should be in charge of the future of our country. We look forward to the birth of an institution that will lead Korea’s new growth with strengthened marine mobility.

Translation by the Korea JoongAng Daily staff.