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Nov. 18, another day on the calendar, is a memorable day for Koreans. A new ship will take just three hours to sail to Ieodo. The Korean people have ample reason to celebrate this maiden voyage because Ieodo, a submerged rocky plateau, is close to their hearts.
The place has been a distant, utopian refuge for Jeju fishermen who embark on fishing trips on distant seas. It was about eight hours away by regular ships; but now is just three hours or six for a round trip.
The new high-speed ship is a survey vessel belonging to the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Administration (KHOA), and will observe underwater conditions from Jeju to Ieodo where an ocean and weather research station is located.
KHOA monitors shipping lanes to ensure the safe passage of ships from Korea to Southeast Asian nations, India, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
Shipping lanes are like air routes for airplanes and highways for drivers. Stations such as the one on Ieodo should be able to warn ships of potential disasters such as typhoons and hurricanes. In Korea, Nov. 1 is celebrated as Shipping Lane Communication Day, something the country has done for the past 62 years. Not many people are aware of shipping lanes that are deemed safe sailing routes ― important for all ships. This new ship will survey such lanes whenever it sets sail for Ieodo. From time to time, we read newspaper articles about shipwrecks and disasters at sea; so we have to pay attention to shipping lanes.
Two French fleets surveyed the East Sea around Ulleung-do and measured the depth of waters there in May 1787. Japanese ships surveyed the coastal areas of Korea before it colonized the peninsula in the early 20th century.
Russian ships conducted similar surveys to explore Korea's seas around the same time. The Joseon Kingdom did not know what these foreign fleets were doing on its seas. Alas! That was the beginning of tragedy.
The new high-speed vessel will collect oceanic environmental data and information for weather forecasting, including predicting typhoons and hurricanes, and measuring pollution and its effects on marine life.
Koreans have been paying attention to the East Sea and Dokdo, because of Japanese claims that the islets belong to them. We have been paying attention to the West (Yellow) Sea islands bordering North Korea, because the North has attacked Yeonpyeong and Baengnyeong islands.
We have paid relatively scant attention to the South (East China) Sea, but it is most vital sea because almost all of the nation's export and import ships sail the sea. The South Sea is Korea's lifeline for exports and imports that sustain the national economy and wealth. We should counter potential Chinese provocation around Ieodo, because South Korea and China have not agreed on a median line in the sea between the two nations.
Now, we have cut the sailing time down to more than half from Jeju to Ieodo, and are that much closer to the station there and the vast expanse of the South Sea.
We witness Nov. 18 as a special day for the South Sea in a symbolic move of Korea's seaward voyage for the exploration of ocean resources and the protection of the oceanic environment.
Ieodo is now closer to us, even though it is located in the distant sea.
Dr. Koh is president of Society of Ieodo Research.
