Wetland protection areas
Overview
- Wetlands: Areas that are permanently or temporarily covered with freshwater, brackish water, or saline water. They include both inland wetlands and coastal wetlands.
- Inland wetlands: Areas, including lakes located on land or within islands, as well as river estuaries
- Coastal wetlands: Areas extending from the boundary where the water line meets the land surface at high tide to the boundary where it meets the land surface at low tide.
- Wetlands, as defined by the Ramsar Convention and widely recognized globally, extend their scope to water depths between 2 meters and 6 meters, focusing on hydrological characteristics rather than vegetation or soil. The Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as: “Areas of marsh, fen, peatland, or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish, or salt, including areas of marine water where the depth at low tide does not exceed six meters.”
- Adjacent areas such as riversides, islands near wetlands, and marine areas within wetlands that exceed 6 meters in depth at low tide are also considered wetlands. Furthermore, fish farms, ponds in agricultural lands, irrigated fields, reservoirs, and canals are categorized as wetlands.
What are Wetland Protection Areas?
- An ecologically intact or biodiverse area
- A habitat or a stopover site for rare or endangered wild animals and plants
- An area with unique landscape, topographical or geological value
Designation of Wetland Protection Areas (As of August 2023)
- Legal basis : Article 8 of the Wetlands Conservation Act
- Designated areas :52 sites covering a total area of 1,635,524㎢ (including Improvement Areas and Buffer Management Areas)
Designation process
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Field assessment
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Designation planning
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Collection of feedback from city mayors/provincial governors and local residents
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Consultation with relevant ministries
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Designation and notification
List of Wetland Protection Areas designated by the Ministry of Environment : 30 sites covering 135.249㎢
| Name | Location | Area (㎢) | Features | Date of designation (Ramsar designation) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nakdonggang River Estuary | Sinpyeong-dong, Janglim-dong and Dadae-dong, Saha-gu; Myeongji-dong, Gangseo-gu, Busan | 37.718 | Stopover sites for migratory birds | Aug. 9, 1999 |
| The High Moor, Yongneup of Mt. Daeam | Daeamsan Mountain, Simjeok-ri, Seohwa-myeon, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do | 1.360 | Korea’s only high moor | Aug. 9, 1999 (Mar. 28, 1997) |
| Upo Wetland | Daehap-myeon, Ibang-myeon, Yueo-myeon and Daeji-myeon, Changnyeong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do | 8.651 (Improvement Area: 0.104) |
Korea’s oldest primeval swamp | Aug. 9, 1999 (Mar. 2, 1998) |
| Moojechineup | Jeongjoksan Mountain, Joil-ri, Samdong-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan | 0.184 | Mountain wetland | Aug. 9, 1999 (Dec. 20, 2007) |
| Mulyeongari-oreum | Suryeongsan Mountain, Sumang-ri, Namwon-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju | 0.309 | Parasitic cone | Dec. 5, 2000 (Oct. 18, 2006) |
| Hwaeomneup | Yongyeon-ri, Habuk-myeon, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do | 0.124 | Mountain wetland | Feb. 1, 2002 |
| Du-ung Wetland | Sindu-ri, Wonbuk-myeon, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do | 0.067 | Back swamp of Sindu-ri sand dune; habitat for rare wildlife | Nov. 1, 2002 (Dec. 20, 2007) |
| Sinbulsan Mountain Alpine Wetland | San 92-2, Dae-ri, Wondong-myeon, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do | 0.308 | Mountain wetland home to rare wildlife | Feb. 20, 2004 |
| Damyang Wetland | Daejeon-myeon, Subuk-myeon and Hwanggeum-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do Yonggang-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju | 0.981 | Riparian wetland home to endangered and protected wildlife | Jul. 8, 2004 |
| Jangdo Island High Moor | Jangdo Island, Bi-ri, Heuksan-myeon, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do | 0.090 | Korea’s first mountain wetland on an island | Aug. 31, 2004 (Mar. 30, 2005) |
| Hangang River Estuary | River banks and inside the barbed wires stretching from the southern tip of Gimpodaegyo Bridge to Sungroe-ri, Songhae-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon | 60.668 | Natural estuary with biodiversity-rich ecosystems | Apr. 17, 2006 |
| Sajapyeong Alpine Wetland | San 1, Gucheon-ri, Dandang-myeon, Milyang-si, Gyeongsangnam-do | 0.587 | Outstanding landscape; well-developed peat bed; habitat for endangered species, including leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) | Dec. 28, 2006 |
| 1100 Altitude Wetland | From Saekdal-dong and Jungmun-dong, Seogwipo-si to Gwangryeong-ri, Jeju-si, Jeju | 0.126 | Mountain wetland home to endangered species and rare wildlife | Oct. 1, 2009 (Oct. 12, 2009) |
| Muljangori-oreum Wetland | Bonggae-dong, Jeju-si, Jeju | 0.610 | Unique topographical features of the mountain crater; habitat for rare wildlife | Oct. 1, 2009 (Oct. 13, 2008) |
| Dongbaekdongsan | Seonheul-ri, Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju | 0.590 | Rich in biodiversity; habitat for both northern and southern plants | Nov. 12, 2010 (Mar. 14, 2011) |
| Ungok Wetland | Ungok-ri, Asan-myeon, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do | 1.930 (Improvement Area: 0.133) |
Rich in biodiversity; habitat for endangered wildlife | Mar. 14, 2011 (Apr. 7, 2011)) |
| Gonggeomji Reservoir | Yangjeong-ri, Gonggeom-myeon, Sangju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do | 0.264 | Rich in biodiversity; habitat for endangered wildlife | Jun. 29, 2011 |
| Hanbando Wetland Ramsar Site | Hanbando-myeon, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do | 2.772 (Buffer Management Area: 0.857) |
Habitat for 8 legally protected species, including otters (Lutra lutra), Gobiobotia brevibarba and Acheilognathus signifer | Jan. 13, 2012 |
| Wolyeong Wetland | Ssangam-dong, Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do | 0.375 | Rich in biodiversity; habitat for 6 endangered species, including Korean rat snakes (Elaphe schrenckii) and Korean buzzards (Buteo buteo) | Jul. 24, 2014 |
| Sumeunmulbaengdui Ramsar Site | Gwangryeong-ri, Aewol-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju | 1.175 (Buffer Management Area: 0.857) |
Rich in biodiversity; habitat for many legally protected species, including Utricularia yakusimensis and Eurasian Hobbies (Falco subbuteo) | Jul. 1, 2015 (May 13, 2015) |
| Dongcheon Stream Estuary | Daedae-dong; Haeryong-myeon and Byeolryang-myeon, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do | 5.394 | Rich in biodiversity; habitat for 39 endangered species, including golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), black-faced spoonbills (Platalea minor) and hooded cranes (Grus monacha) | Dec. 22, 2015 |
| Chimsil Wetland | Godal-myeon and Ogok-myeon, Gokseong-eup, Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do Sejeon-ri, Songdong-myeon, Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do | 2.037 | Rich in biodiversity; habitat for many endangered species, including otters (Lutra lutra) and pond turtles (Mauremys reevesii) | Nov. 7, 2016 |
| Doline Wetland | Ugok-ri, Sanbuk-myeon, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do | 0.494 | Korea’s only doline wetland home to many endangered species | Jun. 15, 2017 |
| Hwapocheon Stream | Jinyeong-eup, Hallim-myeon, Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do | 1.244 | Rich in biodiversity; habitat for many legally protected species, including oriental storks (Ciconia boyciana) | Nov. 23, 2017 |
| Incheongang River Estuary | Asan-myeon, Simwon-myeon and Buan-myeon, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do | 0.722 | Biodiversity-rich open estuary; habitat for many legally protected species, including Swinhoe's egrets (Egretta eulophotes) | Oct. 23, 2018 |
| Jangnok Wetland | Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju | 2.704 | Ecologically intact urban riparian wetland rich in biodiversity | Dec. 8, 2020 |
| Yongyangbo Reservoir | Kimhwa-eup, Cheolwon-gun, Gangwon-do | 0.519 | Well-preserved, biodiversity-rich ecosystems with high levels of naturalness; habitat for a wide range of species | Dec. 8, 2020 |
| Binaeseom Island | Yangseong-myeon and Sotae-myeon, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do | 0.920 | Biodiverse riparian wetland; home to many endangered species and landscapes with high levels of naturalness | Oct. 23, 2018 |
| Madongho Lake | Maam-myeon and Georyu-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do | 1.079 | Rich in biodiversity; habitat for many legally protected species, including black-faced spoonbills (Platalea minor) | Feb. 3, 2022 |
| Waryong Mountain Wetland | San 277, Waryong-dong, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do | 0.899 | Abandoned farmland restored as a biodiverse mountain wetland as a result of natural succession | Dec. 30, 2022 |
| Gapcheon | Jeongrim-dong, Weolpyeong-dong, Doan-dong, Seo-gu and Wonsinheung-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon-si | 0.901 | Maintaining the primitiveness of natural integrity with well-developed channel deposits; and rich in biodiversity, including endangered species | Jun. 5, 2023 |
List of Wetland Protection Areas designated by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries : 14 sites covering 1,491.12㎢
| Name | Location | Area (㎢) | Features | Date of designation (Ramsar designation) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muan Tidal Flat | Haeje-myeon and Hyeongyeong-myeon, Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do | 42.0 | Biodiverse site with geological conservation value | Dec. 28, 2001 (Jan. 14, 2008) |
| Jindo Tidal Flat | Gunnae-myeon and Gogun-myeon (Sindong), Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do | 1.44 | Outstanding landscape; rich in biodiversity; stopover site for migratory birds | Dec. 28, 2002 |
| Suncheon Bay Tidal Flat | Byeolyang-myeon and Haeryong-myeon; Dosa-dong, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do | 28.0 | Outstanding natural landscape; habitat and stopover site for hooded cranes (Grus monacha) | Dec. 3, 2003 (Jan. 20, 2006) |
| Boseong and Beolgyo Tidal Flats | Hodong-ri, Jangyang-ri, Yeongdeung-ri, Jangam-ri and Daepo-ri, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do | 31.85 | High levels of naturalness; home to diverse marine resources | Dec. 3, 2003 (Jan. 20, 2006) |
| Jangbongdo Island Tidal Flat | Jangbong-ri, Ongjin-gun, Incheon | 68.4 | Habitat or stopover site for rare migratory birds; rich in biodiversity | Dec. 31, 2003 |
| Buan Tidal Flat | Julpo-myeon and Boan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do | 4.9 | High levels of naturalness; habitat or stopover site for rare migratory birds, including snipes (Scolopacidae) | Dec. 15, 2006 (Feb. 1, 2010) |
| Gochang Tidal Flat | Buan-myeon (Zone 1) and Simwon-myeon (Zone 2), Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do | 64.66 | Vast site with outstanding landscape and a wealth of marine resources | Dec. 31, 2007 (Feb. 1, 2010) |
| Seocheon Tidal Flat | Biin-myeon and Jongcheon-myeon, Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do | 68.09 | Outstanding landscape; habitat for Eurasian oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) | Feb. 1, 2008 (Dec. 2, 2009) |
| Sinan Tidal Flat | Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do | 1,100.86 | Outstanding landscape; rich in biodiversity (halophytes and zoobenthos) | Jan. 29, 2010 (Sep. 1, 2011) |
| Bongam Tidal Flat | Bongam-dong, Masanhoewon-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do | 0.1 | Urban wetland home to rare and endangered wildlife | Dec. 16, 2011 |
| Siheung Tidal Flat | Janggok-dong, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do | 0.71 | Inland tidal flat; habitat or stopover site for rare and endangered wildlife | Feb. 17, 2012 |
| Daebudo Island Tidal Flat | Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do | 4.53 | Rich in biodiversity; habitat for endangered species, including black-faced spoonbills (Platalea minor), Swinhoe's egrets (Egretta eulophotes) and Far Eastern curlews (Numenius madagascariensis) | Mar. 22, 2017 |
| Maehyangri Tidal Flat | Maehyang-ri, Ujeong-eup, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do | 14.08 | Rich in biodiversity; habitat for large zoobenthos and halophytes, including a community of Suaeda japonica | Mar. 22, 2017 |
| Goheung Tidal Flat | Yeojaman Bay, Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do | 59.43 | Rich in biodiversity; habitat for endangered migratory birds and large zoobenthos | Dec. 29, 2022 |
List of Wetland Protection Areas designated by city mayors/provincial governors : 7 sites covering 8.254㎢
| Name | Location | Area (㎢) | Features | Date of designation (Ramsar designation) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dalseong Wetland | Horim-dong, Dalseo-gu; Hwawon-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu | 0.178 | Stopover site for migratory birds, including hooded cranes (Grus monacha) and white-naped cranes (Grus vipio); established community of wetland plants, such as yellow floating hearts (Nymphoides peltata) and golden tickseeds (Coreopsis tinctoria) | May 25, 2007 |
| Chudong Wetland | 91 Chu-dong, Dong-gu, Daejeon | 0.346 | Habitat for rare animal species, including otters (Lutra lutra), Korean buzzards (Buteo buteo), long-billed plovers (Charadrius placidus) and grey-headed woodpeckers (Picus canus) | Dec. 26, 2008 |
| Songdo Tidal Flat | Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon | 6.11 | East Asian-Australasian Flyway Site for migratory birds, including black-faced spoonbills (Platalea minor), Saunders's gulls (Larus saundersi), Korean buzzards (Buteo buteo) and Far Eastern curlews (Numenius madagascariensis) | Dec. 31, 2009 (Jul. 10, 2014) |
| Gyeongpo Gasiyeon Wetland | Unjeong-dong, Anhyeon-dong, Chodang-dong and Jeo-dong, Gangneung-si, Gwangwon-do | 1.314 (Buffer Management Area: 0.007) |
A major lagoon in the eastern coast; stopover site for migratory birds; habitat for endangered prickly waterlilies (Euryale ferox) | Nov. 15, 2016 |
| Sunpoho Lagoon | Sandaewol-ri, Sacheon-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gwangwon-do | 0.133 | Habitat for watershield (Brasenia schreberi), a Class 2 endangered species in Korea; stopover site for migratory birds; rich in biodiversity | Nov. 15, 2016 |
| Ssangho Lake | Osan-ri, Sonyang-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gwangwon-do | 0.139 (Buffer Management Area: 0.012) |
Small lagoon formed on top of a sand dune; habitat for Utricularia japonica | Nov. 15, 2016 |
| Gapyeongri Wetland | Gapyeong-ri, Sonyang-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gwangwon-do | 0.034 | Lagoon developed in a coastal alluvial site; habitat for Japanese water irises (Iris ensata), bristle-pointed irises (Iris setosa) and purple loosestrifes (Lythrum salicaria) | Nov. 15, 2016 |
List of the Wetlands of International Importance (also known as Ramsar sites) in Korea : 24 sites covering 202.672㎢
| Name | Location | Area (㎢) | Date of designation |
|---|---|---|---|
| The High Moor, Yongneup of Mt. Daeam | Daeamsan Mountain, Simjeok-ri, Seohwa-myeon, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do | 1.360 | Mar. 28, 1997 |
| Upo Wetland | Daehap-myeon, Ibang-myeon, Yueo-myeon and Daeji-myeon, Changnyeong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do | 8.652 | Mar. 2, 1998 |
| Jangdo Island High Moor | Jangdo Island, Bi-ri, Heuksan-myeon, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do | 0.090 | Mar. 30, 2005 |
| Suncheon Bay | Byeolyang-myeon and Haeryong-myeon; Dosa-dong, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do | 35.500 | Jan. 20, 2006 |
| Mulyeongari-oreum | Suryeongsan Mountain, Sumang-ri, Namwon-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju | 0.309 | Oct. 18, 2006 |
| Moojechineup | Jeongjoksan Mountain, Joil-ri, Samdong-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan | 0.184 | Dec. 20, 2007 |
| Du-ung Wetland | Sindu-ri, Wonbuk-myeon, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do | 0.067 | Dec. 20, 2007 |
| Muan Tidal Flat | Haeje-myeon and Hyeongyeong-myeon, Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do | 35.89 | Jan. 14, 2008 |
| Muljangori-oreum Wetland | Bonggae-dong, Jeju-si, Jeju | 0.628 | Oct. 13, 2008 |
| Odaesan National Park Wetlands | Sohwangbyeongsanneup and Jilmoeneup, Hoenggye-ri, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun; Jogaedongneup, Myeonggae-ri, Nae-myeon, Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon-do | 0.018 | Oct. 13, 2008 |
| Ganghwa Maehwamarum Habitat | Choji-ri, Gilsang-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon | 0.003 | Oct. 13, 2008 |
| 1100 Altitude Wetland | From Saekdal-dong and Jungmun-dong, Seogwipo-si to Gwangryeong-ri, Jeju-si, Jeju | 0.126 | Oct. 12, 2009 |
| Seocheon Tidal Flat | Yubudo Island, Seo-myeon, Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do | 15.3 | Dec. 2, 2009 |
| Gochang & Buan Tidal Flats | Julpo-myeon and Boan-myeon, Buan-gun; Buan-myeon and Simwon-myeon, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do | 45.500 | Feb. 1, 2010 |
| Dongbaekdongsan | Seonheul-ri, Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju | 0.590 | Mar. 14, 2011 |
| Ungok Wetland | Ungok-ri, Asan-myeon, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do | 1.797 | Apr. 7, 2011 |
| Jeungdo Tidal Flat | Jeungdo Island and Byeongpungdo Island, Jeungdo-myeon, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do | 31.300 | Jul. 29, 2011 |
| Han River-Bamseom Islets | Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul | 0.273 | Jun. 20, 2012 |
| Songdo Tidal Flat | Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon | 6.110 | Jul. 10, 2014 |
| Sumeunmulbaengdui Ramsar Site | Gwangryeong-ri, Aewol-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju | 1.175 | May 13, 2015 |
| Hanbando Wetland Ramsar Site | Hanbando-myeon, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do | 1.915 | May 13, 2015 |
| Dongcheon Estuary | Dosa-dong; Haeryong-myeon and Byeolyang-myeon, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do | 5.399 | Jan. 20, 2016 |
| Daebudo Tidal Flat | Daebunam-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do | 4.530 | Oct. 25, 2018 |
| Janghang Wetland | Sinpyeong-dong and Janghang-dong, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do | 5.956 | May 21, 2021 |