• Korean Security Journal
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• no.36
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• pp.443-467
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to introduce United States Coast Guard (USCG) in order to suggest a direction to advance the system of Korea Coast Guard. After the effect of United Nations on the Law of the Sea in 1994, the world is facing with new era of maritime age with emergence of new maritime border 'Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ)'. Along with new maritime era, Korea also has been facing with the conflicts caused from EEZ. Also, there is a increasing concern about maritime safety and security since people looking for maritime tourism and leisure sports are dramatically increasing in Korea. Moreover, national security matters are a big issue in Korea due to the several incidents occurred in the sea such as the attack on Yeon-Pyung Island and the sinking of Cheonan naval vessel. Arising concern on these issues in maritime space requires Korea Coast Guard to handle these effectively. However, the systematical and structural limitation of Korea Coast Guard limits the effective management of recent issues. The United States Coast Guard which is considered as one of the military force in the United States has continuously reformed and developed its system and structure to better handle the maritime safety and security issues through developing project such as the Integrated Deep Water system. Also, maritime police system and structure in the United States is different with in Korea. This study expects to suggest a way to advance the system and structure of Korea Coast Guard through examination of United States Coast Guard and comparing maritime police system and structure between Korea and the United States in order to properly deal with the maritime safety and security issues arising recently.