- Opening of Youth Maritime Education Institue takes place on the site of Yeosu World Expo on Friday, September 3 -

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries(Minister MOON, Seong-Hyeok) announced that the country’s first comprehensive maritime education institute for youth will open on Friday, September 3 at the site of Yeosu World Expo in Sujeong-dong, Yeosu.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has been promoting the establishment of a youth maritime education institute since March 2017, under the goal of fostering a pioneering spirit through experiencing the sea as well as providing systematic education on marine safety, leisure tourism and marine science. Another youth maritime education insitute is currently being established in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, arranged to open in 2023.

Yeosu Youth Martime Education Institute was built with a total budget of 18 billion won, including 9.8 billion won from government funds and 8.2 billion won from provincial expenses. The institute has one basement floor and four ground floors (6,270.49㎡ in total). The education institute has facilities with various purposes, including swimming pools (20m, 4 lane), scuba diving pools (13m wide, 7m long, 5m deep), marine environmental exploration institute, marine safety education institute, marine leisure experience institute, education room, and medical room, and 27 living rooms to accommodate up to 152 people.

In the near future, ① marine safety education programs such as survival swimming and ship emergency drills, ② marine leisure activities both underwater(free diving, scuba diving, etc.) and on the water(kayak, dinghy yacht). ③ marine education courses for marine pollution and marine resources, ④ systematic education programs for maritime career paths and explanation of the maritime history will be operated at the institute. In addition, ⑤ developing marine tour program that links tourist attractions including Yeosu Expo and ⑥ training youngsters in the fields of marine leisure sports and marine safety will encourage better understanding in the marine sector.

However, as the spread of COVID-19 continues recently, the comprehensive education institute will be partially operated only with marine environment exploration institute, marine safety education institute, and marine leisure experience facilities open. And the survival swimming course will be provided solely. The scope of operation will expand in accordance with the government quarantine guidelines for COVID-19.

Deputy Minister SONG, Sang-Geun said, "We hope that Yeosu Youth Maritime Education Institute will promote the interest and understanding on the marine sector and contribute to fostering future marine prospects"