The Korea Coast Guard is responsible for maritime safety and control off the coast of South Korea

South Korea

The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...

. The KCG is an external branch of Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs at peacetime. Recently, with continuous border crossings by Chinese watercraft, the Korean Coast Guard has deployed a significant number of heavy vessels to the Yellow Sea. As of July, 2009, the KCG has 7,696 people (officers and technical operators) under its disposal. The KCG has its headquarters in Songdodong, Incheon

Incheon

The Incheon Metropolitan City is located in northwestern South Korea. The city was home to just 4,700 people when Jemulpo port was built in 1883. Today 2.76 million people live in the city, making it Korea’s third most populous city after Seoul and Busan Metropolitan City...

, and has hundreds of smaller operating stations along the coastline of the Korean Peninsula.
The Korean Coast Guard operates 4 classes of heavy vessels (over 1000 tons), 3 classes of medium vessels (over 250 tons), and 3 classes of light vessels (speedboats over 30 tons). The KCG also uses several types of 'special purpose watercraft', such as firefighting vessels, barges, high speed scout boats, light patrols, and amphibious hovercraft

Air-cushioned landing craft

An air cushioned landing craft, also called an LCAC is a modern variation on the amphibious landing boat. These craft are based on small- to mid-sized multi-purpose hovercraft, also known as "over the beach" craft...

. The KCG aviation unit fields 6 fixed-wing aircraft

Fixed-wing aircraft

A fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...

 and 16 rotary-wing aircraft. The Coast Guard also has its own asymmetric warfare

Asymmetric warfare

Asymmetric warfare is war between belligerents whose relative military power differs significantly, or whose strategy or tactics differ significantly....

 unit, the 'Korean Coast Guard Special Operation Unit'.

History

The Coast Guard Authority was formed on 23 December 1953 in Busan, at the same time a Maritime Police Unit was also established as part of the National Police Agency

National Police Agency (South Korea)

South Korea has a relatively unified and integrated approach law enforcement. For example, the National Police Agency provides all policing services throughout the country...

. In October 1962, new bases in Incheon

Incheon

The Incheon Metropolitan City is located in northwestern South Korea. The city was home to just 4,700 people when Jemulpo port was built in 1883. Today 2.76 million people live in the city, making it Korea’s third most populous city after Seoul and Busan Metropolitan City...

, Yeosu

Yeosu

Yeosu is a city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Old Yeosu City, which was founded in 1949, Yeocheon City, founded in 1986, and Yeocheon County were merged into a new city in 1998....

, Pohang

Pohang

Pohang is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, and a main seaport in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region. The built-up area of Pohang is located on the alluvium of the mouth of the Hyeongsan River...

, and Kunsan. In February 1963, the aviation unit of the KCG closed, though it reopened in the 80's. Since 1980 the KCG began expanding its fleet largely, and in August 1991 the Police Unit was renamed the Korea National Maritime Police Agency. In 2007 the Korea National Maritime Police Agency was integrated into the Coast Guard. In the early 21st century, the fleet expanded to include various vessels of over 3,000 tons, and as of January 2002, the 'Korean Coast Guard Special Operation Unit' was officially formed. In the May of 2008, the "Search & Rescue Maintenance Unit" was newly constructed, and as of late 2008, various sub-agencies changed infrastructural composition. The Korean Coast Guard plans to field more vessels over 5000 tons by 2015, and expand its asymmetric warfare force significantly by encouraging participation from other branches of the police.

Goals

(From the English home page of the Korean Coast Guard)

• Develop and maintain operational capability to ensure national maritime sovereignty.
• Be recognized by the nation as the guardian of maritime security.
• Become the foremost maritime security agency in Northeast Asia
  Northeast Asia
  Northeast Asia and Northeastern Asia refers to the northeastern subregion of Asia. Though the precise definition of Northeast Asia changes according to context, it always includes Japan and the Korean Peninsula, and is sometimes used to refer to these two regions exclusively.-Definitions:The...
  
  .
• Develop and improve the ability to respond to maritime search and rescue requirements throughout the area of responsibility.
• Develop and improve the ability to preserve and protect the maritime environment.
• Be fully responsive to public requests for administrative services.
• Continually improve the organization and operation of the agency.

Main Duties

(From the English home page of the Korean Coast Guard)

• 1. Search and Rescue

Korea Coast Guard performs to respond speedy and effective rescue activities in order to save a precious life and to protect property when it occurred maritime accidents.

• 2. Maritime Security

Korea Coast Guard ensures to protect sea from maritime crime and keep maritime security and peace.

• 3. Marine Environmental Protection

Korea Coast Guard has always been in the forefront for surveillance of marine pollution and prevention of hazardous spills in order to keep waters clean and to preserve abundant marine resources.

• 4. International Affairs

We, Korea Coast Guard, always do our best to respond quickly against international maritime crimes including enforcement of Alien Migrant Interdiction by seizing current tendency of international crime.

• 5. Maritime Traffic Safety Management

Korea Coast Guard provides an unlimited protection to secure maritime tourism, safe marine recreational activities, and to keep people from any kind of potential dangers and barriers.
6. Maritime Pollution Response
Korea Coast Guard performs to build a clean maritime environment through prevention activities thoroughly against hazardous spills or discharge and perfect pollution control.

Charter of the Republic of Korea Coast Guard

(From the English home page of the Korean Coast Guard)

• "We are the proud Korea Coast Guard to secure our own sea by inheriting a spirit and a tradition of the marine nation

We are charged with the historical mission to protect freedom and interest of the public, and pursue peace and prosperity of Nation, furthermore, makes contribution to the peace of the world. Therefore, we pledge to accomplish our assigned duties and clarify the KCG's direction."

• -We are a devoted Coast Guard undaunted by any affliction as a leading protagonist of the maritime security
• -We are a righteous Coast Guard who properly administers the law according to the own conscience as the symbol of the law and justice.
• -We are a global Coast Guard who maintains international maritime order and conserves a sea which is mutual asset among all nations.
• -We are a growing Coast Guard who aims for the future by developing the knowledge and ability with the creative attitude.

Command

Formerly called Korea Maritime Police, is led by a Commissioner of the KCG and a deputy Commissioner.

The KCG is divided into six Bureaus and 23 Divisions. There are 13 KCG stations with 74 branch offices and 245 subagencies.

Other related agencies include:

• KCG Academy
• KCG R&D Center
• KCG Maintenance Agency