Marine Conservation Workshop on Baengnyeong-do
Baengnyeong-do MPA Workshop Highlights Cooperation for Marine Conservation

The Baengnyeong-do (Island) Marine Protected Area (MPA) Workshop was held from April 28 to 29, 2026, co-organized by Incheon KFEM and the Climate and Ocean Policy Institute. The event brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss the ecological importance of Baengnyeong-do and explore pathways for enhanced marine conservation.

Located in the Yellow Sea between the two Koreas, Baengnyeong Island serves as a critical ecological corridor for endangered species, including migratory birds and the spotted seal. The workshop highlighted the island’s strategic role in connecting biodiversity conservation with marine ecosystem protection in the region. A key session featured Hyun-Ah Choi from the Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea, who introduced the concept of Green Detente. Her presentation emphasized the potential for inter-Korean cooperation through environmental collaboration, particularly in marine conservation.

Participants also addressed structural challenges facing the environmental sector. Many NGOs continue to operate on a small scale and often in competitive rather than cooperative frameworks. A gap persists between government commitments and actual implementation, while declining motivation among activists, fragmented networks, and limited data sharing further constrain collective impact. Financial limitations were also identified as a major barrier, with NGOs heavily reliant on government and industry funding.

The event concluded with a shared commitment to continue dialogue and strengthen collaboration to support long-term marine conservation efforts in the Yellow Sea region.