In 1999, Wetlands Conservation Act was enacted for the domestic implementation of the Ramsar Convention in Korea.
According to the Act, wetlands have been managed by the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Oceans and
Fisheries(MOF). In the field of coastal wetland of which MOF is in charge, starting with the designation of Muan coastal
wetlands as protected area in 2001, there are 12 wetland conservation areas up to 218.96㎢. Even though there has been
rapid growth of protected areas, it is time to give attention to the effective implementation of wetland conservation policies.
This study aims to analyze institutional and operational problems related to wetland management and give some
recommendations for the improvement of the wetland conservation policy and legal framework.