Vice FM discusses maritime challenges, cooperation with ITLOS president

This picture shows a general view of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) during a meeting for advisory opinion on climate change in Hamburg, Germany, May. 21. Reuters-Yonhap

Second Vice Foreign Minister Kang In-sun discussed efforts Tuesday to enhance cooperation with an international tribunal for maritime disputes to more effectively address emerging challenges, such as climate change, the foreign ministry said.

Kang had the meeting with Tomas Heidar, the president of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), who is visiting Seoul this week to attend an annual conference on the international maritime legal systems and their implementation.

In the meeting, Kang took note of ITLOS' role in advancing the rule of law in the international maritime sector and its contributions to the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes.

She said that Korea will actively participate in shaping new international norms in the maritime field and continue collaborations with ITLOS in addressing emerging challenges, such as climate change, the ministry said.

The Hamburg-based ITLOS is an independent judicial institution created under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea to resolve disputes related to the interpretation and implementation of the convention.

Korea and ITLOS have co-hosted the conference since 2016 as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation in the international maritime legal frameworks. This year's session will take place Tuesday and Wednesday. (Yonhap)