Recently the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPR Korea promulgated the decree on adoption of the Law of the DPR Korea on Maritime Search and Rescue.

It constitutes an important undertaking to develop practicable emergency plans for rescuing distressed persons and ships at sea, rivers or lakes and providing necessary assistance and safe places for them thus ensuring the prompt maritime search and rescue operations and coordination thereof.

The Law aims to protect human lives and properties at sea by establishing a strict and sound system in the maritime search and rescue operations.

The Law addresses principles of the maritime search and rescue system, ship reporting, rescue communication and coordination and control and governance over the maritime search and rescue.

The adoption of this Law provides a legal basis for timely searching and rescuing distressed persons and ships and for preventing the aggravation of marine casualties.