Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Decree is to prescribe matters mandated by the Act on Promotion of Development and Commercialization of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) and matters necessary for the enforcement thereof.
Article 2(Formulation of mater plans) #
(1) "Matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 4(1)8 of the Act on Promotion of Development and Commercialization of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (hereinafter referred to as the "Act") means the following: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
1. Basic directions for the designation and operation of MASS operational areas;
2. Matters regarding the operation of the MASS performance demonstration center and the support for performance demonstrations under Article 11 of the Act;
3. Other matters deemed necessary by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries for the promotion of the technological development and commercialization of MASS.
(2) "Minor modifications prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the latter part of Article 4(3) of the Act means any of the following:
1. Modifications made to reflect the details of amendments to the Act or of the enactment, amendment, or repeal of other statutes or regulations;
2. Modifications made to reflect the details of the plans formulated under other statutes or regulations;
3. Modifications of miscalculations, clerical errors, omissions, or other similar evident errors.
(3) When the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries jointly formulate or modify a master plan for the promotion of the development and commercialization of MASS (hereinafter referred to as "master plan") under Article 4(1) of this Act, they shall without delay notify the heads of the relevant central administrative agencies and the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Do Governor, and a Special Self-Governing Province Governor (hereinafter referred to as "Mayors/Do Governors") of the details thereof. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
Article 3(Formulation of implementation plans for development) #
(1) The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy shall formulate and implement an implementation plan for the development of MASS under Article 5 of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "implementation plan for development") every year. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(2) When the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy intends to formulate or modify an implementation plan for development, the Minister shall consult with the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries and the heads of other relevant central administrative agencies; provided, consultation may be omitted for modifications specified in any of the subparagraphs of Article 2(2). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(3) When the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy intends to formulate or modify an implementation plan for development, the Minister may, if necessary, seek the opinions of the relevant Mayors/Do Governors. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(4) When the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy formulates or modifies an implementation plan for development, the Minister shall without delay notify the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, the heads of other relevant central administrative agencies, and the relevant Mayors/Do Governors of the details thereof. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
Article 4(Formulation of implementation plans for promotion of dissemination and diffusion) #
(1) When the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries intends to formulate or modify an annual implementation plan for the promotion of the dissemination and diffusion of MASS, the establishment of the MASS-based maritime logistics system, and other related activities under Article 6(1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "implementation plan for the promotion of dissemination and diffusion"), the Minister shall consult with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy and the heads of other relevant central administrative agencies; provided, consultation may be omitted for modifications specified in any of the subparagraphs of Article 2(2). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(2) When the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries intends to formulate or modify an implementation plan for the promotion of dissemination and diffusion, the Minister may, if necessary, seek the opinions of the relevant Mayors/Do Governors.
(3) When the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries formulates or modifies an implementation plan for the promotion of dissemination and diffusion, the Minister shall without delay notify the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, the heads of other relevant central administrative agencies, and the relevant Mayors/Do Governors of the details thereof. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
Article 5(Subjects of current status surveys on MASS) #
(1) The subjects of current status surveys (hereinafter referred to as "current status surveys") conducted under Article 7(1) of the Act for the effective establishment of policies for the technological development and commercialization of MASS shall be as follows: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
1. Domestic and international technological and policy trends related to MASS;
2. The current status of domestic and international research and development, operation, and utilization of MASS;
3. The current status of domestic and international MASS-based maritime logistics systems;
4. Other matters deemed necessary by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy or the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries for the establishment of policies to promote the technological development and commercialization of MASS.
(2) Current status surveys shall be conducted through literature reviews, on-site surveys, questionnaire surveys, or other similar means and may be conducted by telephone, information and communications networks, email, or other similar means, if necessary for the efficient conduct of such surveys.
Article 6(Composition and operation of MASS Policy Committee) #
(1) "Matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 8(2)6 of the Act means the following:
1. Matters regarding the formulation and modification of a master plan;
2. Matters regarding approval for operation under Article 20(1) of the Act;
3. Other matters that the cochairpersons (hereinafter referred to as the "cochairpersons") of the MASS Policy Committee under Article 8(1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") deem necessary for promoting the development and commercialization of MASS and submit to a meeting of the Committee.
(2) The term of office of civilian members under Article 8(4)1 of the Act shall be 2 years.
(3) "Vice ministers or vice minister-level public officials of the relevant central administrative agencies prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 8(4)2 of the Act means the following persons; in such cases, if an agency has multiple vice ministers, the head of the agency shall designate the relevant vice minister: <Amended on Dec. 30, 2025>
1. Deleted; <Dec. 30, 2025>
2. The Vice Ministers of Science and ICT;
3. The Vice Minister of the Interior and Safety;
4. The Vice Ministers of SMEs and Startups;
4-2. The Vice Minister of Planning and Budget;
5. The Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard.
(4) A meeting of the Committee shall be convened jointly by the cochairpersons if they deem it necessary.
(5) If both cochairpersons are unable to perform their duties due to any unavoidable cause, a member predesignated through consultation between the cochairpersons shall act on behalf of them.
(6) A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and any resolution thereof shall require the concurring vote of a majority of those present.
(7) The Committee shall have 1 executive secretary to handle business affairs of the Committee, and the secretary shall be appointed by the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries from among public officials of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
(8) A working committee may be established in the Committee to prereview the agenda items to be deliberated on by the Committee.
Article 7(Public notice of designation of MASS operational areas and modification or revocation of such designation) #
(1) Public notice regarding the designation of a MASS operational area and the modification or revocation of such designation under the latter part of Article 9 (1) of the Act shall include matters classified as follows:
1. In cases of public notice regarding designation:
a. The name, location, and area of the MASS operational area;
b. The purpose and period of the designation of the MASS operational area;
2. In cases of public notice regarding modification or revocation: The details of the modification or revocation of matters specified in subparagraph 1 and the grounds therefor.
(2) When the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries provides public notice of the designation of a MASS operational area or the modification or revocation of such designation under the latter part of Article 9 (1) of the Act, the Minister shall notify the Mayor/Do Governor having jurisdiction over the relevant sea areas or the head of the relevant agency, etc. under paragraph (2) of that Article (hereinafter referred to as "Mayor/Do Governor, etc.") of the details of the public notice.
Article 8(Criteria for evaluating operation of MASS operational areas) #
(1) The criteria for evaluating the operation of MASS operational areas under Article 9(4) of the Act shall be as follows:
1. The operational performance of MASS operational areas;
2. The safety of MASS;
3. Impacts of the operation of MASS operational areas on the promotion of commercialization of MASS and other relevant matters;
4. Other matters regarding the operational performance of MASS operational areas, as determined by the Committee after deliberation.
(2) Periodic evaluations of the operation of MASS operational areas under Article 9(4) of the Act shall be conducted annually, and occasional evaluations shall be conducted when the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries deems it necessary to review the operational status of MASS operational areas.
(3) Periodic evaluations and occasional evaluations under paragraph (2) may be conducted by means of on-site evaluations or documentary evaluations.
(4) Except as provided in paragraphs (1) through (3), details necessary for the operation of MASS operational areas shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
Article 9(Request for cooperation) #
The measures for which cooperation may be requested from the heads of relevant central administrative agencies and the Mayors/Do Governors, etc. having jurisdiction over the relevant sea areas (hereafter in this Article referred to as the "heads of relevant central administrative agencies, etc.") under the former part of Article 10(1) of the Act shall be measures that fall within the authority of the heads of relevant central administrative agencies, etc. and that the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy or the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries deems necessary for the safe navigation of MASS in MASS operational areas. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
Article 10(Support for performance demonstrations of MASS) #
(1) The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries may jointly designate an institution or organization that meets all of the following requirements as a MASS performance demonstration center under Article 11(1) of the Act and may have it provide performance demonstration support services for the effective implementation of MASS technology development: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
1. It shall have the organization and personnel necessary for performance demonstrations of MASS;
2. It shall be equipped with the equipment and facilities necessary for performance demonstrations of MASS;
3. It shall have expertise in the field of MASS, such as research achievements related thereto.
(2) When the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries jointly designate a performance demonstration center under paragraph (1), they shall without delay publicly announce the fact on the websites of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(3) Details necessary for the requirements for designation under paragraph (1), the designation procedures, etc. shall be jointly determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
Article 11(Establishment of MASS-based maritime logistics system) #
"Matters related to the establishment of the MASS-based maritime logistics system as prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 12(2)10 of the Act means the following:
1. Enhancement of vessel traffic services defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Vessel Traffic Services Act;
2. Enhancement of maritime safety management under subparagraph 1 of Article 3 of the Framework Act on Maritime Safety;
3. Enhancement of marine information under subparagraph 10 of Article 2 of the Act on Marine Research and the Use of Marine Information and digitization of marine information publications under subparagraph 10 of that Article;
4. Other matters deemed necessary by the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries for the dissemination, diffusion, and safe operation of MASS.
Article 12(Administrative and financial support) #
When providing support under Article 13 of the Act, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries shall consider the following: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
1. Basic directions, objectives, and phased promotion plan for policies on the development and commercialization of MASS;
2. Basic directions, objectives, and phased promotion plan for policies on the development of the MASS-based maritime logistics system.
Article 13(Promotion of research and development projects) #
"Entity prescribed by Presidential Decree" in subparagraph 8 of Article 14 of the Act means any of the following entities:
1. The Korea Planning and Evaluation of Industrial Technology established under Article 39 of the Industrial Technology Innovation Promotion Act;
2. A classification society under Article 60 (2) of the Ship Safety Act;
3. The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology established under the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology Act;
4. The Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority established under the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority Act;
5. A port authority established under the Port Authority Act;
6. The Korea Institute of Marine Science and Technology Promotion established under Article 23 of the Marine Science and Technology Promotion Act;
7. An association established under Article 18(1) of the Act;
8. Other corporations established under the Civil Act or any other statute that conduct research on MASS.
Article 14(Support for professional personnel training institutions) #
A professional personnel training institution designated under Article 15(2) of the Act may be subsidized under paragraph (3) of that Article to cover the following expenses: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
1. Expenses necessary for the development and dissemination of educational programs for training professional personnel;
2. Expenses necessary for the operation of educational programs for training professional personnel;
3. Other expenses deemed necessary by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy or the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries for education and training for professional personnel.
Article 15(International cooperation and entry into overseas markets) #
"Institution or organization prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 17(2) of the Act means an entity falling under any of the subparagraphs of Article 14 of the Act or any of the subparagraphs of Article 13 of this Decree.
Article 16(Projects of associations) #
When the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries authorize an association, etc. established under Article 18(1) of the Act to conduct a project under Chapter 3 of the Act as prescribed in Article 18(4) of the Act, the Ministers shall consider whether such project is consistent with the purpose of establishment of the association, etc., the capacity of the association, etc. to perform duties, and other relevant aspects. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
Article 17(Approval procedures for operation) #
(1) A person intending to conduct a trial or demonstration of MASS and seeking approval from the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries under Article 20(1) of the Act shall submit to the Minister an application for approval for operation in the form prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, along with documents prescribed by such Decree, including documents evidencing the purchase of liability insurance under paragraph (2) of that Article.
(2) When the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries intends to decide whether to grant approval under Article 20(1) of the Act, the Minister shall seek the opinions of Mayors/Do Governors, etc.
(3) Upon deciding whether to grant approval under Article 20(1) of the Act, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries shall notify the applicant and Mayors/Do Governors, etc. of such decision.
Article 18(Expedited regulatory confirmation) #
(1) A person who intends to request a regulatory confirmation under Article 25(1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "regulatory confirmation") shall submit to the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries a request for regulatory confirmation in the form prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, along with materials prescribed by such Decree, including an operation plan for a MASS.
(2) A reply under the latter part of Article 25(2) of the Act shall be given by means of a notice of the results of regulatory confirmation in the form prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
Article 19(Entrustment of tasks) #
(1) The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy shall entrust the tasks of current status surveys under Article 7(1) of the Act and requests for submission of materials under paragraph (2) of that Article to the Korea Planning and Evaluation of Industrial Technology established under Article 39 of the Industrial Technology Innovation Promotion Act, as prescribed in Article 26(2) of the Act. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(2) The Minister of Oceans and Fisheries may entrust the following tasks to the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority established under the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority Act or to a classification society under Article 60(2) of the Ship Safety Act, as prescribed in Article 26(2) of this Act:
1. Current status surveys under Article 7(1) of the Act and requests for submission of materials under Article 7(2) of the Act;
2. Preliminary reviews for the designation of MASS operational areas under Article 9(1) of the Act or the modification or revocation of such designation;
3. Evaluations of the operation of MASS operational areas under Article 9(4) of the Act;
4. Preliminary reviews for approval under Article 20(1) of the Act.
(2) When the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries entrusts tasks under paragraph (2), the Minister shall publicly notify the entrusted institution and the details of the entrusted tasks.
Article 20(Criteria for imposition of administrative fines) #
The criteria for the imposition of administrative fines under Article 29(1) of the Act shall be as specified in the Appendix.