Ministry of Unification searches for Inter-Korean Maritime Agreement

The Ministry of Unification announced in its yearly business reports on Feb. 15 that it would concentrate on overland transportation launching related with the Kaesung Industrial Complex and maritime transportation developments like port facility improvement support and maritime contract agreements between North and South Korea.

The Ministry of Unification pointed out that it would drive the Inter-Korean Maritime Agreement forward because Inter-Korean vessels have operated based on international customs without any mutual consent, and North Korea caused troubles in transporting Inter-Korean business cargoes by refusing a Hansung Shipping vessel, a south Korean liner between Inchon and Nampo, coming into port or to load cargoes, since last November.

To prevent a similar incident, the agreement would require contracts regarding operating vessels through an Inter-Korean business committee.

The main contents of the Inter-Korean Maritime Agreement might include free calling at each counterpart's ports, guaranteed equivalent treatment with the host country's own vessels for port usage, simplification of procedures for coming in and out of ports, and requiring obedience to international customs for cargo loading and unloading.