WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT

Article 1(Purpose) #

The purpose of this Act is to prescribe matters necessary for the efficient conservation and management of wetlands to contribute to the conservation of wetlands and wetland biodiversity, and for the promotion of international cooperation by reflecting the purpose of international convention on wetlands.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 2(Definitions) #

The terms used in this Act are defined as follows: <Amended on Jan. 5, 2021>

1. The term "wetlands" means inland wetlands or coastal wetlands that are an area permanently or temporarily covered with fresh water, brackish water, or salt water;

2. The term "inland wetlands" means an area of lake, marsh, swamp, river, estuary, or the like on the land or an island;

3. The term "coastal wetlands" means an area between the highest reach high tide water mark and the highest reach low tide water mark;

4. The term "damage to wetlands" means any use of wetlands for other than conservation purposes, such as changing the original form and quality of wetlands by drainage, reclamation, dredging, etc. or installing facilities or structures on wetlands.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 3(Obligation to conserve wetlands) #

(1) The State and each Special Metropolitan City, Metropolitan City, Special Self-Governing City, Do, and Special Self-Governing Province (hereinafter referred to as "City/ Do") have an obligation to conserve wetlands.

(2) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall exercise general control over the matters concerning the wetland investigations and the formulation of master plans for wetland conservation under Articles 4 and 5. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall formulate and implement a policy for designating and conserving a wetland protection area, wetland management area, or wetland improvement area (hereinafter referred to as "wetland protection area, etc.") under Article 8 for inland wetlands, and the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries shall formulate and implement a policy for designating and conserving a wetland protection area for coastal wetlands. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) The Special Metropolitan City Mayor, Metropolitan City Mayors, Special Self-Governing City Mayors, Do Governors, or Special Self-Governing Province Governors (hereinafter referred to as "Mayor/Do Governor") shall cooperate in implementing policies under paragraph (3).

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 4(Wetland investigations) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or a Mayor/Do Governor shall conduct a basic investigation five-yearly, into the social and economic conditions of wetlands, such as the current status of wetland ecosystems and pollution and the status of land utilization in the environs affecting wetlands. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where deemed necessary to conserve and improve wetlands or to implement the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (hereinafter referred to as the "convention"), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or the Mayor/Do Governor may separately conduct an in-depth investigation into the relevant wetlands in addition to a basic investigation under paragraph (1). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Where a change in any of the conditions of a wetland is acknowledged as distinct, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or the Mayor/Do Governor may conduct an investigation into the relevant wetlands that complements a basic investigation made under paragraph (1). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 5(Formulation of master plans for wetland conservation) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, respectively, shall formulate a basic plan for wetland conservation (hereinafter referred to as "basic plan") every five years on the basis of the findings of investigations into wetlands under Article 4 (hereinafter referred to as "wetland investigations"), and the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall formulate a master plan for wetland conservation (hereinafter referred to as "master plan") on the basis of the basic plan after consulting with the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries. In such cases, any wetland conservation plan formulated under any other Act shall be honored to the utmost. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) A master plan shall contain each of the following:

1. Direction-setting of a policy on wetland conservation;

2. Matters concerning wetland investigations;

3. Matters concerning the distribution and size of wetlands and concerning the current status of biodiversity;

4. Matters concerning coordination with other national master plans relating to wetlands;

5. Matters concerning international cooperation for wetland conservation;

6. Other matters necessary for wetland conservation, prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(3) In formulating a basic plan or master plan, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries shall consult with the head of a related central administrative agency and, if necessary, may request the head of the related central administrative agency and Mayors/Do Governors to submit related materials. The same shall also apply to an amendment to the basic plan or master plan. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) When the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment has formulated a master plan, he or she shall notify the details thereof to the head of a related central administrative agency and Mayors/Do Governors. The same shall also apply when he or she has amended the master plan. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) Where necessary to implement a master plan, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries may request the head of a related central administrative agency and Mayors/Do Governors to take necessary measures. In such cases, the head of the related central administrative agency and the Mayors/Do Governors shall comply with such request, except in extenuating circumstances. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 5-2(Establishment of National Wetland Deliberative Committee) #

(1) A National Wetland Deliberative Committee (hereafter in this Article, referred to as the "Committee") shall be established under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment to deliberate on the following matters concerning wetland conservation: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Formulating and amending a master plan;

2. Implementing the resolutions and recommendations determined by a general conference of the parties to the Convention;

3. Other important matters concerning the policy on wetland conservation, which the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment or the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries tables for deliberation.

(2) The Committee shall be comprised of not exceeding 30 members, including one chairperson and two vice chairpersons.

(3) The Vice Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall be the chairperson of the Committee, and the public official belonging to the Senior Civil Service in charge of the overall affairs of wetland policies in the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the public official belonging to the Senior Civil Service in charge of the overall affairs of coastal wetland policies in the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries shall be the vice chairpersons thereof. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Members shall be appointed or commissioned by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, from among the following persons. In such cases, public officials designated by the Minister of National Defense, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, and the Minister of the Korea Forest Service, shall become ex officio members: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Public officials belonging to the Senior Civil Service, designated by the heads of related central administrative agencies;

2. Public officials of Grade II or III or other public officials equivalent thereto, designated by the Mayors/Do Governors who have jurisdiction over wetlands;

3. Persons having abundant academic knowledge and experience in wetlands, recommended by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment or the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries.

(5) The organization and operation of the Committee, and other necessary matters, shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

Article 6(Wetland investigators) #

(1) Where necessary to conduct a wetland investigation, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or a Mayor/Do Governor may commission a wetland investigator (hereinafter referred to as "investigator") during the investigation period. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Matters necessary for the qualifications, commissioning procedures, etc. for investigators shall be prescribed by Joint Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (hereinafter referred to as "Joint Decree"). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 7(Access to third person’s land) #

(1) Where necessary to conduct a wetland investigation, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or a Mayor/Do Governor may require a related public official or investigator (if the wetland investigation is entrusted to a specialized institution under Article 21(2), including an executive or employee of the specialized institution; hereinafter the same shall apply) to access a third person's land or to alter or remove standing trees, earth, rocks, and other obstacles on the ground. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) A related public official or investigator who intends to access a third person’s land or alter or remove obstacles under paragraph (1) shall give prior notice thereof to the owner, occupier, or caretaker (hereafter in this Article, referred to as "owner, etc.").

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), no related public official or investigator may access a third person’s land enclosed by walls or fences before sunrise or after sunset without consent from the owner, etc. of relevant land.

(4) No owner, etc. of land may refuse, obstruct, or evade an investigation under paragraph (1) without a justifiable ground.

(5) A related public official or investigator who intends to access a third person’s land under paragraph (1) shall produce a certificate evidencing the authority to interested parties, as prescribed by Joint Decree.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 8(Designation of wetland areas) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or a Mayor/Do Governor may designate any of the following areas worth special conservation status as a wetland protection area, from among wetlands, and designate the environs thereof as a wetland management area: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. An area that has native continuity or rich biodiversity;

2. An area inhabited or visited by a rare or endangered wild animal or plant;

3. An area that has extraordinary scenic, topographic, or geologic value.

(2) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or a Mayor/Do Governor may designate any of the following areas from among wetlands as a wetland improvement area: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. An area in which damage to wetlands has worsened or is apprehended to worsen among the wetland protection areas;

2. An area worth improvement through artificial management, etc. among the areas where the conservation of wetland ecosystems is in poor condition.

(3) In designating a wetland protection area under paragraph (1) or (2), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment or the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries shall consult with the head of a related central administrative agency after gathering consensus from the competent Mayor/Do Governor and local residents. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) In designating a wetland protection area, etc. under paragraph (1) or (2), the relevant Mayor/Do Governor shall consult with the head of a related administrative agency after gathering consensus from the competent head of Si/Gun/Gu (the head of a Gu means the head of an autonomous Gu; hereinafter the same shall apply) and local residents.

(5) Where intending to designate a river area, etc. under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the River Act as a wetland protection area, etc., the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment or a Mayor/Do Governor shall consult with or obtain approval from a river management agency in advance pursuant to Article 6(2) of the River Act. <Added on Jan. 5, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

(6) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or a Mayor/Do Governor has designated a wetland protection area, etc., he or she shall publicly notify the name, location, size of the relevant area, and other matters prescribed by Joint Decree. <Amended on Jan. 5, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 9(Implementation of Convention) #

(1) Where the Government intends to notify the Convention Secretariat of wetlands to be included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance to implement the Convention, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries shall determine wetlands subject to notification, after consultation with the head of a related central administrative agency, among the wetland protection areas or the wetlands of equivalent value though not designated as wetland protection area. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where the Government withdraws the inclusion of a wetland notified under paragraph (1) in the List of Wetlands of International Importance or reduces the size thereof, it shall endeavor to prepare wetland conservation measures corresponding thereto.

(3) The Government shall faithfully implement the matters provided for in the Convention, such as the conservation and management of wetlands included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance and collaborative research and exchange of data with other parties to the Convention.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 9-2(Support to accredited wetland cities under the convention) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or a Mayor/Do Governor may provide administrative and financial support to a city accredited or intending to be accredited under the Convention which is located in the vicinity of a wetland included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance or a wetland protection area, etc., and participating in wetland conservation (hereinafter referred to as "accredited wetland city under the Convention") and to a wetland to be included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. In such cases, the scope of an accredited wetland city under the Convention shall be prescribed by Joint Decree. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where intending to provide support to an accredited wetland city, etc. under the Convention and a wetland included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance, a Mayor/Do Governor may prescribe matters necessary therefor by municipal ordinance.

[This Article Added on Jan. 5, 2021]

Article 10(Cancellation or modification of designation of wetland protection areas) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or a Mayor/Do Governor may cancel designation or reduce the size of an area of a wetland protection area, etc., that is essential for the public interest or military purpose prescribed by Presidential Decree or that has lost value or has become unnecessary to conserve as the wetland protection area because of a natural disaster or other cause. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Article 8(3) through (7) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the cancellation of designation or the modification of a wetland protection area, etc. under paragraph (1). <Amended on Jan. 5, 2021>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 11(Formulation and implementation of conservation plans) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or a Mayor/Do Governor shall formulate and implement a plan for the conservation of a wetland protection area, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "conservation plan") after consulting with the head of a related administrative agency. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) A conservation plan shall include the following matters; provided, subparagraphs 4 and 5 shall apply when a plan for conserving a wetland protection area, etc. within a river area is formulated and implemented, and in such cases, consultation with the relevant river management agency is required: <Amended on Jan. 5, 2021>

1. Basic matters concerning wetland conservation;

2. Matters concerning the installation of facilities for wetland conservation and utilization under Article 12;

3. Matters concerning the conservation, utilization, and management of wetlands;

4. Matters concerning the securing and maintaining of the stream flow capacity according to a basic river plan formulated under Article 25 of the River Act;

5. Matters concerning the prevention of terrestrialization and the conservation of river aquatic ecosystems.

(3) Matters necessary for the method, procedures, etc. for formulating conservation plans shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 11-2(Compliance with wetland conservation plans) #

Where the head of a related administrative agency intends to take action concerning the conservation, utilization, management, etc. of wetlands in a wetland protection area, he or she shall comply with the master plan and the conservation plan.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 12(Facilities for wetland conservation and utilization) #

(1) Notwithstanding Article 13(1), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, the head of a related central administrative agency, or the head of a local government may install and operate the following facilities for wetland conservation and utilization (hereinafter referred to as "facilities for wetland conservation and utilization"): <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Wetland protection facilities;

2. Wetland research facilities;

3. Facilities that do not hinder wetland conservation; such as wooden bridges, facilities for education and publicity, and facilities for information and management;

4. Other facilities for wetland conservation, which are prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(2) When the head of a local government intends to install and operate facilities for wetland conservation and utilization in a wetland protection area, etc. designated by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment or the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries under Article 8, he or she shall first obtain approval from the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment or the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, as prescribed by Joint Decree; provided, the same shall not apply where he or she installs any of the facilities listed under paragraph (1) according to a business plan under any other Act and subordinate statute. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Matters necessary for the installation, utilization, operation, management, etc. of the facilities listed under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 13(Restrictions on activities) #

(1) No person shall engage in any of the following activities in any wetland protection area under Article 8(1) (hereinafter referred to as "wetland protection area"); provided, when it becomes necessary to maintain and manage agricultural infrastructure defined in subparagraph 6 of Article 2 of the Rearrangement of Agricultural and Fishing Villages Act, when an activity falling under any of subparagraphs 1 through 3 is performed to use the relevant infrastructure for agricultural purposes, when an activity falling under subparagraph 2 or 3 is performed to take emergency measures under Article 37 of the Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety, when river works, and maintenance and repair projects necessary for preventing floods are carried out pursuant to Articles 27 through 30 of the River Act, or when it is prescribed by Presidential Decree within the minimum extent necessary for military purposes, such as military mobilization and operations, the same shall not apply: <Amended on Jan. 5, 2021>

1. New construction and extension of a building or other artificial structure (limited to where the total floor area of the building or artificial structure becomes at least two times the existing total floor area due to such extension), or a change in the form and quality of land;

2. Bringing about an increase or decrease in the level or volume of water in the wetlands;

3. Gathering earth, sand, pebbles, stones, etc.;

4. Extraction of minerals;

5. Artificial introduction, cultivation, capturing, or gathering (excluding cultivation, capturing, or gathering that has been going on by a local resident longer than a period prescribed by Joint Decree with the object of a means of living, leisure activity, etc.) of an animal or plant.

(2) No person shall release, plant, or grow any organism disturbing the ecosystem defined in subparagraph 8 of Article 2 of the Act on the Conservation and Use of Biodiversity or any organism disturbing the marine ecosystem defined in subparagraph 12 of Article 2 of the Conservation and Management of Marine Ecosystems Act in a wetland management area or wetland improvement area under Article 8.

(3) A person who intends to perform a land reclamation project, public waters reclamation project, or engage in any other activity that may harm wetlands, the scale of which is equal to or greater than the one specified, in a wetland management area under Article 8(1) shall obtain approval from the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or the competent Mayor/Do Governor, and where the head of a related central administrative agency intends to perform that activity, he or she shall consult with the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or the competent Mayor/Do Governor. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 14(Order for suspension) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or a Mayor/Do Governor may order a person who violates Article 13(1) in a wetland protection area to suspend such violation, to reinstate it within a period of up to six months prescribed by Presidential Decree in consideration of the substance and gravity of such violation, or to take a measure corresponding thereto where it is impractical to reinstate it. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where a person who has been imposed an order for reinstatement under paragraph (1) is unable to comply with the order due to a natural disaster or other force majeure circumstances, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or the Mayor/Do Governor may extend the period for reinstatement by up to six months upon the person's request. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 15(Access restrictions) #

(1) Where deemed especially necessary for the protection and management of a wetland protection area or wetland improvement area, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or the competent Mayor/Do Governor may impose a restriction or ban on access to all or part of the relevant area for a specified period; provided, in any of the following cases, the same shall not apply: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where a relevant local resident enters the area to make a living, such as engaging in farming, forestry, and fisheries for daily work;

2. Where a person enters the area to perform a wetland conservation project;

3. Where a person enters the area for a military purpose;

4. Where a person enters the area to take a measure necessary for any action, rescue, etc. for prevention and emergency measures against or restoration from a natural disaster defined in subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Countermeasures against Natural Disasters Act;

5. Where a person enters the area to engage in an activity that does not hinder the conservation and management of the wetland protection area, which is prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(2) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or a Mayor/Do Governor intends to impose a restriction or ban on access under paragraph (1), he or she shall give prior public notice of the location and size of the relevant area, the period of restriction or ban, and other matters prescribed by Joint Decree. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or a Mayor/Do Governor deems that the reason for a restriction or ban imposed on access has ceased to exist, he or she shall lift that restriction or ban without delay and give public notice thereof. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 16(Relationship to other statutes) #

(1) Except in cases prescribed by Presidential Decree, substantially necessary for the public interest or military purposes for the wetlands designated as a wetland protection area or wetland improvement area, the formulation of the basic plan for reclamation of public waters under Article 22 of the Public Waters Management and Reclamation Act, an amendment to the basic plan for reclamation of public waters under Article 27 of the same Act, a reclamation license of public waters under Article 28 of the same Act, or permission for aggregate extraction under Article 22 of the Aggregate Extraction Act shall not be made or granted.

(2) In designating an area, district, etc. relating to the conservation and utilization of wetlands, the head of the related administrative agency shall consult with the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment or the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries; provided, where another Act expressly prescribes procedures for consultation, those procedures shall prevail. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 17(Management of damaged wetlands) #

(1) Where the State, a local government, or a business operator damages wetlands of a size equivalent to or larger than the ratio prescribed by Presidential Decree in a wetland protection area or wetland improvement area under Article 16, the Government shall ensure that the wetlands of a size equivalent to the ratio prescribed by Joint Decree in the wetland protection area or wetland improvement area are preserved.

(2) The Government shall undertake monitoring of ecological changes in the wetlands preserved under paragraph (1) for a period prescribed by Joint Decree and then endeavor to optimize the outcomes thereof for the conservation of ecosystems surrounding the damaged area.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 18(Encouragement of creation and management of artificial wetlands) #

The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries shall encourage the head of a related central administrative agency or the head of a local government to create artificial wetlands and shall have him or her maintain and conserve the wetlands created naturally following tidal movements, sand dunes, etc. surrounding damaged wetlands as far as possible, in order to enhance the conservation of ecosystems and improve the environment of wetlands. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 18-2(Charges) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, a Mayor/Do Governor, or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu may collect charges from the users of a wetland protection area, etc. (limited to an area designated by the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries or a Mayor/Do Governor under Article 8); provided, as for a wetland protection area in a park area designated under the Natural Parks Act, the collection of charges shall be as prescribed by the Natural Parks Act. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, the head of a related central administrative agency, or the head of a local government may collect charges from the users of facilities for wetland conservation and utilization; provided, as for facilities for wetland conservation and utilization in a park area designated under the Natural Parks Act, the collection of charges shall be as prescribed by the Natural Parks Act. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment has delegated the authority to collect charges under paragraph (1) to a Mayor/Do Governor or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu under Article 21(1), the charges shall become the revenue of the City/Do or Si/Gun/Gu that collects them. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Where charges are collected pursuant to the main clauses of paragraphs (1) and (2), such charges shall be used to pay the necessary expenses for the conservation of a wetland protection area, etc. <Added on Jan. 5, 2021>

(5) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or the head of a related central administrative agency collects charges under the main clauses of paragraphs (1) and (2), matters necessary for the amount of charges, procedures for collection thereof, and exemption therefrom shall be prescribed by Joint Decree, and where the charges are collected by the head of a local government, such matters shall be prescribed by ordinance of the local government as prescribed by Joint Decree. <Amended on Jan. 5, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 19(Rewards) #

The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, a Mayor/Do Governor, or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu (limited to an area designated by the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries or a Mayor/Do Governor under Article 8) may pay a reward to any person who has reported, or has made a complaint against, a violator of Article 13(1) or (2) to a related administrative agency or investigative agency, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 20(Compensation for losses) #

(1) The State or a City/Do shall compensate a person for his or her loss incurred due to a wetland investigation, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(2) Any person who intends to receive compensation under paragraph (1) shall file a request with the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or the competent Mayor/Do Governor. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Upon receipt of a request under paragraph (2), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or a Mayor/Do Governor shall determine the amount, etc. of compensation in consultation with the requester and notify the requester thereof. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) When no agreement is reached under paragraph (3), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, the competent Mayor/Do Governor, or the requester may file an application with the competent Land Tribunal for adjudication. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 20-2(Purchase of land, etc.) #

(1) Where the owner of land, a building, or other thing or a mining right, fishing right, aquaculture right, or other right (hereafter in this Article, referred to as "land, etc.") in an area necessary to conserve the ecosystem of a wetland protection area intends to sell the land, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment or the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries may purchase such land <Amended on Aug. 27, 2019; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where deemed especially necessary for the purchase of a mining right under paragraph (1), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment or the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries may divide and purchase the mining right after consultation with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources, notwithstanding the Mining Industry Act. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) The purchase price at which the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment or the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries purchases land, etc. under paragraph (1) shall be that calculated as prescribed by the Act on Acquisition of and Compensation for Land for Public Works Projects. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Matters necessary for the procedures, etc. for purchase of land under paragraphs (1) through (3) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 21(Delegation and entrustment of authority) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment or the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries may partially delegate the authority bestowed under this Act to the head of an agency affiliated with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment or with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, a Mayor/Do Governor, or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment or the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries may partially entrust the authority or administrative affairs bestowed under this Act to the head of a related central administrative agency or to a related specialized institution, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 22(Reporting and investigations) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or a Mayor/Do Governor may require the operator of the project that conserves or manages wetlands or the person who damages wetlands to make necessary reports or direct him or her to submit materials on occupation, transaction, use, damage, etc. of wetlands, and may assign a public official under his or her control to make an investigation thereinto. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Any public official who engages in the investigation under paragraph (1) shall produce a certificate evidencing the authority to interested parties.

(3) Matters necessary for reporting, investigations, certificates, etc. under paragraphs (1) and (2), shall be prescribed by Joint Decree.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 22-2(Subsidies from national treasury) #

The State may fully or partially subsidize expenses incurred by a local government or any other organization to perform a project for wetland conservation, such as the installation of facilities for wetland conservation and utilization, within budgetary limits.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 22-3(Honorary wetland ecosystem guides) #

(1) Where deemed necessary to engage in wetland protection activities, etc., the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or the head of a local government may commission an honorary wetland ecosystem guide. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Any honorary wetland ecosystem guide shall be issued a certificate with which his or her identity can be verified, as prescribed by Joint Decree.

(3) Matters necessary for the method of commissioning, scope of activity, etc. of honorary wetland ecosystem guides shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 23(Penalty provisions) #

Any person who reclaims any wetland designated and publicly notified as a wetland protection area without obtaining a license under the Public Waters Management and Reclamation Act shall be punished by imprisonment for not exceeding three years or by a fine not exceeding 30 million won. <Amended on Jan. 27, 2016>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 24(Penalty provisions) #

Any of the following persons shall be punished by imprisonment for not exceeding two years or by a fine not exceeding 20 million won: <Amended on Jan. 27, 2016>

1. A person who violates Article 13(1) or (2) (excluding any person who falls under Article 23);

2. A person who performs a land reclamation project or public waters reclamation project or inflicts damage on a wetland without obtaining approval under Article 13(3);

3. A person who violates an order for suspension, reinstatement, or taking measures under Article 14(1).

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 25 #

Deleted. <Mar. 21, 2008>

Article 26(Joint penalty provisions) #

If the representative of a legal entity, or an agent, employee, or other servant of a legal entity or individual, commits a violation of Article 23 or 24 in relation to the duties of the legal entity or individual, not only shall such violator be punished, but the legal entity or individual also shall be sentenced to a fine prescribed in the relevant Article; provided, this shall not apply where the legal entity or individual has not been negligent in giving due attention and supervision concerning the relevant duties, to prevent such violation.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]

Article 27(Administrative fines) #

(1) Any of the following persons shall be subject to an administrative fine not exceeding two million won:

1. A person who refuses, obstructs, or evades an investigation without a justifiable ground, in violation of Article 7(4);

2. A person who enters an area where access is restricted or banned, in violation of Article 15;

3. A person who makes a false report or submits false materials, in violation of Article 22(1).

(2) An administrative fine under paragraph (1) shall be imposed and collected by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, or a Mayor/Do Governor, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 24, 2014]