South Sea (Namhae)
Overview
The South Sea (Namhae) is the sea located south of the Korean Peninsula, part of the East China Sea and connected to the Korea Strait. It stretches along the coasts of South Jeolla Province and South Gyeongsang Province, and is famous for its archipelago (Dadohae, 多島海). The South Sea has served as a rich source of fisheries, beautiful coastal scenery, and historically important maritime routes. It is also a region sensitive to environmental changes such as climate warming and marine pollution.
Main Content
Geographical Scope and Features
The South Sea generally refers to the sea area from Ttangkkeut Village in Haenam County, South Jeolla Province, to Busan Metropolitan City. To the east, it connects to the East Sea via the Korea Strait, and to the west, it connects to the West Sea via the Jeju Strait. This sea area is scattered with approximately 2,000 islands, earning it the nickname 'Dadohae' (archipelago). Major islands include Geoje Island, Namhae Island, Jindo Island, Wando Island, and Dolsan Island in Yeosu City. The coastline features a well-developed ria coast with many indentations, forming bays and inlets that provide natural harbor conditions.
Climate and Marine Environment
The South Sea is influenced by the warm Kuroshio Current, resulting in a relatively mild climate even in winter. The average annual water temperature is 15–18°C, making it the warmest sea among Korea's three seas. This warm environment is suitable for diverse marine life, making the South Sea one of Korea's largest fishing grounds. In particular, warm-water fish species such as anchovies, mackerel, hairtail, and horse mackerel are abundant, and recently, the appearance of subtropical fish species has increased due to climate change. Additionally, tidal flats and seagrass beds are well-developed, serving as a treasure trove of marine ecosystems.
Historical Importance
The South Sea has been a center of maritime transport and trade since ancient times. During the Three Kingdoms period, Baekje, Gaya, and Silla interacted with China and Japan through this sea. In the Unified Silla period, Jang Bogo established Cheonghaejin on Wando Island, leading maritime trade. During the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, the South Sea was a center for grain transport and fisheries, and during the Imjin War (Japanese invasions of Korea), Admiral Yi Sun-sin's Joseon navy achieved great victories along the southern coast. Notably, the Battle of Hansan Island and the Battle of Myeongnyang took place in this sea area. In modern times, after the opening of ports, Busan, Mokpo, and Yeosu developed into international trade ports, further increasing the importance of the South Sea.
Economic Value
The South Sea is a core region for Korea's fisheries industry. Yeosu, Tongyeong, and Wando are major fishing bases, with aquaculture (abalone, seaweed, oysters, flatfish, etc.) being very active. Additionally, large-scale industrial facilities such as the Yeosu National Industrial Complex, Gwangyang Steelworks, and Busan Port are located along the southern coast, contributing significantly to the national economy. Recently, its value as a marine tourism resource has also gained attention. Dadohae Marine National Park, Hallyeohaesang Marine National Park, and the South Coast Tourism Belt attract many tourists. Furthermore, the development of renewable energy, such as offshore wind power, is being actively promoted.
Ecosystem and Environmental Issues
The South Sea is a region with very high biodiversity but faces several environmental problems. Major issues include coastal pollution, red tide phenomena, ocean acidification, and sea level rise and water temperature increase due to climate change. In particular, organic pollution from large-scale aquaculture farms and pollutants discharged from ships pose serious threats to the marine ecosystem. Additionally, coastal development and reclamation projects have led to a decrease in tidal flats and seagrass beds, resulting in a decline in fish stocks. Accordingly, the government and local authorities are promoting measures such as designating marine protected areas, regulating pollutants, and implementing ecosystem restoration projects.
Latest Trends
As of 2024 and 2025, several important changes and trends are observed in the South Sea region. First, the impact of climate change is becoming evident. As the average annual water temperature of the South Sea continues to rise, the appearance of previously absent subtropical fish species (e.g., grouper, longtooth grouper) is increasing, while cold-water species such as pollock and sandfish are sharply declining. This directly affects the livelihoods of fishers, making fish species conversion and aquaculture technology development urgent tasks. Second, a new paradigm for marine tourism is forming. With the increase in domestic travel demand after COVID-19, more tourists are visiting hidden islands and coastal villages along the southern coast. In particular, with the spread of 'workation' and 'slow city' concepts, long-stay tourism products in places like Tongyeong, Namhae County, and Wando are gaining popularity. Third, the construction of offshore wind power complexes is gaining momentum. Under the government's 'Renewable Energy 3020' policy, large-scale offshore wind farms are being built off the coasts of Sinan County and Yeonggwang County in South Jeolla Province, and related projects are also being promoted along the southern coast. This is expected to bring new vitality to the local economy, but it also poses challenges in resolving conflicts with marine ecosystems and fishing activities. Fourth, the marine debris problem is becoming serious. In particular, pollution from microplastics and Styrofoam buoys has been reported across the southern coast, and government-level countermeasures and private-sector cleanup activities are actively underway. In 2025, the 'South Coast Marine Debris Zero Project' is scheduled to be piloted.
Related Topics
- [[Dadohae Marine National Park]]
- [[Hallyeohaesang Marine National Park]]
- [[Yi Sun-sin]]
- [[Korea Strait]]
- [[Jeju Strait]]
- [[Marine Ecosystem]]
- [[Fisheries Industry]]
- [[Offshore Wind Power]]
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