The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), led by Minister Hwang Jong-woo, released rescued and rehabilitated sea turtles, together with turtles successfully hatched in captivity, into the wild at Jungmun Saekdal Beach on Jeju Island on Thursday, August 27. Sea turtles migrate across vast marine areas and face a range of threats, including marine debris, discarded fishing gear, and habitat degradation. All seven living species are classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as at risk of extinction. Korea has also designated the five sea turtle species confirmed to inhabit its waters as protected marine species. To help restore wild sea turtle populations, MOF releases sea turtles into the wild each year through public-private cooperation. This year, 12 turtles from three species were released in cooperation with Aqua Planet Yeosu, Aqua Planet Jeju, and SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium, which are designated specialist marine animal rescue and rehabilitation institutions and ex situ conservation institutions for marine life.