This research intends to suggest the ways to improve protected area management in Korea. To this end, the current protected areas appointed in the nation and their management has been examined, and the problems of management have been identified by means of a field research of protected areas and a survey. In addition, a scheme for an integrated management system has been suggested for management improvement, and a management plan guide, as well as after-evaluation guide, has been suggested. The outcome of the research is as follows. First, the protected area management plan is needed since the protected area in our nation is not managed in a proper way after being appointed as such. Second, when making a management plan, a management organization should make a management plan that can attract voluntary participation from stake-holders by means of efficient communications with them. Third, to maintain the management plan in a consistent and systematic way, related policy, law, and institutions should be (re)formulated. Fourth, an organization responsible only for management of protected areas should be established in consideration of management inefficiency due to the overlapped appointment of managing the protected area. Fifth, the management plan guide and after-evaluation guide can be used for effective protected area management. The results of this study are expected to be helpful for creating a management improvement scheme to address the problems related to the protected areas in our nation. But, it is required to review the guides for the management plan and after-evaluation, and consistent and systemic support from the government in such areas as legislation and policy are also in great need.