A Study on the Policy Direction for the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage in Korea

우리나라 수중문화유산 보호 정책 방향에 관한 연구

UNESCO convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage(hereafter 'UCH')was adopted in the Fourth meeting of governmental experts on the draft Convention on the protection of UCH. Accordingly, Korea will prepare an appropriate policy for the protection of UCH. This article aims to give policy directions for the protection of UCH in Korea. Korea has some legislation relating to protection of cultural property. However, these legislation did not have effective schemes to protect UCH. Moreover, the Cultural Properties Administration which is a primary agency for protecting UCH has been ineffective in their effort for protecting UCH. To Protect UCH, I suggest establishment of law relating to protection of UCH, designation of competent authorities for protection of UCH in accordance to UNESCO Convention, and establishment of a long term national plan for protection of UCH.