A road and sidewalk submerged in floodwater due to heavy rain in Busan, Sept. 21.
The recent enactment of a pivotal law in South Korea has elevated the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) to a central role in the country’s efforts to monitor and adapt to climate change. Effective from Friday, this legislation empowers the KMA as the lead agency responsible for advancing the nation’s climate monitoring and forecasting capabilities.
This groundbreaking law, ratified by the National Assembly in the previous October, aims to establish a robust framework for the scientific monitoring and prediction of climate fluctuations. In this new setup, the KMA is tasked with managing the country’s extensive climate observation network. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will partner with the KMA, focusing on marine and polar ecosystems.
The KMA’s newly expanded role includes providing crucial forecasts pertaining to major weather indicators like temperature, precipitation, and sea surface temperatures. Furthermore, the agency will focus on tracking significant phenomena such as El Niño and La Niña, which can lead to extreme weather conditions on the Korean Peninsula.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will lend its expertise to the KMA by supplying specialized oceanic data involving variables such as sea temperatures, salinity, ocean currents, sea ice, and sea levels. This partnership aims to shape effective climate response plans for the future.
A crucial component of the new legislation is the establishment of a legal infrastructure for an integrated information system. This system is designed to ensure that all critical data from both agencies is accessible for cohesive use in tackling the climate crisis efficiently.
In its official capacity under this law, the KMA is charged with the development of a national framework for climate monitoring and forecasting. This includes crafting an overreaching climate strategy and detailed annual action plans. Part of its responsibilities involves implementing a comprehensive five-year plan for climate monitoring and forecasting while also preparing a national climate change scenario to assist in long-term strategic planning.
Guidelines will be issued by the KMA to various ministries, aiding them in formulating their sector-specific climate response strategies. Once crafted, these strategies will be submitted for review and approval by the Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth, ensuring unified oversight and coordination.
KMA Administrator Chang Dong-eon and Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-hyung have emphasized the significance of thorough surveillance of the interconnected climate systems – atmospheric, oceanic, and polar. Their constant observation and analysis are critical to generating comprehensive climate forecasts.
Both leaders have stressed their commitment to making climate monitoring and prediction data widely accessible. This initiative aims to support policy-making efforts across various sectors and enhance the practical application of climate information in daily living, helping communities to adapt and mitigate climate impacts more effectively.
Leave a Reply