Kingston, Jamaica – 23 June 2026 – Madam Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority, Leticia Carvalho, welcomed to Kingston the new Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea.
In a ceremony held at the ISA Headquarters on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, His Excellency, Mr. Oh Joongkeun, presented his credentials to the Secretary-General.
With more than three decades of public service, including diplomatic postings across Asia, Europe, the Pacific and now the Caribbean, Mr. Oh has held positions in Beijing, Fiji, Hong Kong, Romania, Shanghai, Ukraine, Croatia and now Jamaica, reflecting his broad international perspective and experience in protocol, consular affairs and regional diplomacy.
During the ceremony, Madam Secretary-General highlighted engagements from the Republic of Korea that demonstrate the value of Korea´s scientific capacity and international leadership to the work of the International Seabed Authority.
Ms. Leticia Carvalho emphasized to H.E. Mr. Oh that this commitment is “reflected in Korea´s active participation in the ISA Council and long-standing representation in the Legal and Technical Commission.” The country is also committed to “science, transparency and international cooperation,” having an important role in helping operationalize the ISA Deep-Sea Biobank Initiative.
More recently, Korea collaborated with ISA in organizing a workshop in Busan on the development of a Regional Environmental Management Plan for the Area of the Northwest Pacific Ocean, an important contribution to science-based and regionally grounded environmental management.
While presenting his credentials, H.E. Mr. Oh stated that “Korea remains committed to working with the International Seabed Authority and its Member States to strengthen responsible ocean governance, uphold the principle of the common heritage of humankind, and advance a rules-based approach to the peaceful and sustainable use of the deep seabed.”
He also expressed Korea’s appreciation to the ISA Secretariat for its “continued support to Member States and for its important work in facilitating dialogue, transparency and cooperation among all members of the Authority.”
About ISA
The International Seabed Authority is an autonomous intergovernmental organization established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to organize, regulate and control activities in the seabed beyond national jurisdiction for the benefit of humankind as a whole. ISA is committed to ensuring that all activities in the deep seabed are carried out responsibly, using the best available scientific evidence and in accordance with the principle of the common heritage of humankind.
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