S. Korea, U.S. adopt joint maritime safety declaration

SEOUL, Nov. 26 — South Korea and the United States have adopted a maritime safety declaration aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in the international arena, the government said Thursday.

The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs said the declaration was made with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) on the sidelines of a meeting of the International Maritime Organization in London on Wednesday.

The broad agreement calls for the two sides to work together to tighten monitoring of port control, expand cooperation in the area of maritime safety sponsored by international agencies and exchange of inspectors.

Such efforts can prevent accidents and allow for faster response time if an emergency situation arises. It can also better protect the environment and deal with potential terrorist threats to ship traffic.

The ministry also said that the declaration can lead to the USCG giving "preferential" treatment to South Korean vessels entering U.S. ports. On average around 450 South Korean ships enter U.S. ports every year.

Washington has tightened monitoring of all ships entering its waters to prevent the movement of contraband and potential attacks by terrorist groups. (PNA/Yonhap)

DCT/ebp

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