ECOP South Korea (‘K-ECOP’) is a network of Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) in South Korea, composed mainly of young early career experts who are passionate about understanding the ocean to advance ocean sustainability. The expertise of K-ECOP members spans a broad range of topics, including ocean circulation, biogeochemistry, marine biology, and climate change.
With access to state-of-the-art research institutions and facilities, and a supportive scientific community, K-ECOP strives to facilitate entry and engagement with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (‘UN Ocean Decade’), promote both domestic and international research networks for oceanographic research, and foster an ‘Ocean Sustainability Nexus’ for researchers and other ocean stakeholders, including local communities.
This report presents the findings from the 2023 K-ECOP National Survey, which was conducted from October to December 2023. This survey, endorsed by the ECOP Programme, serves as a foundation for understanding the needs of Korean ECOPs and guiding the future direction of K-ECOP initiatives. The report provides as well an overview of the key activities and plans undertaken by the K-ECOP Team from 2023 to 2024. These initiatives, aligned with the goals of the UN Ocean Decade, aim to foster professional development, enhance community engagement, and strengthen the role of K-ECOP within the global ECOP network.