CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Act is to prescribe matters regarding coast guard to ensure maritime security, maintain public safety and order, and protect marine fishery resources and maritime facilities, thereby contributing to the safety of citizens and the maintenance of public order. <Amended on Apr. 18, 2017>
Article 2(Definitions) #
The terms used in this Act are defined as follows: <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014; Apr. 18, 2017; Jul. 26, 2017; Dec. 29, 2020; Apr. 22, 2025>
1. The term "coast guard" means the exercise of police authority by the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard to ensure maritime security and maritime public safety for safeguarding maritime sovereignty and to protect marine fishery resources and maritime facilities in guarded waters;
2. The term "guarded waters" means the coastal waters, offshore waters, and open sea waters to which the rights of the Republic of Korea extend under the statutes and regulations of the Republic of Korea and international law;
3. The term "coastal waters" means territorial seas and internal waters (excluding surface of internal waters under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Inland Water Fisheries Act) under Articles 1 and 3 of the Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone Act;
4. The term "offshore waters" means the contiguous zone referred to in Article 3-2 of the Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone Act;
5. The term "open sea waters" means the waters excluding the coastal waters and the offshore waters, which are referred to in subparagraph 1 of Article 3 of the Framework Act on Marine Fishery Development;
6. The term "marine fishery resources" means marine fishery resources referred to in subparagraph 2 of Article 3 of the Framework Act on Marine Fishery Development;
7. The term "maritime facility" means a maritime facility under subparagraph 17 of Article 2 of the Marine Environment Management Act;
8. The term "guard force" means the manpower, naval vessels, aircraft, and telecommunication equipment mobilized by the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard for coast guard;