With the advent of a new maritime era in the 21st Century, the world is currently in intense competition to secure maritime resources. Korea also is actively developing and utilizing the ocean to increase prosperity and secure survival in the future. In particular, the recent rapid development of state of the art marine science technology and the new marine industry is placing greater emphasis on the ocean as a source of unlimited development potential.

In order to meet the needs of changing times and develop into a true maritime power, Korea must develop its human resources. The country's youth need to understand and recognize the importance of the ocean in order to be leaders of the future. This is where the significance and objectives of maritime education are found.

However, our reality is that a continent-based world view and inland-oriented thinking are deeply rooted in Korean people. Therefore, proper maritime education for all Korean people is keenly required to turn the country into a true maritime nation. It is necessary to lay the groundwork for maritime education by developing learning materials and teaching methods based on a systematic and scientific analysis of contents and target students. We need to identify the best educational methods and objectives and translate them into meaningful educational practice, thereby producing an advanced maritime generation in the future.

In the near future, maritime education will be expanded to connect with curriculums from elementary to high schools. This focus on STEAM education will nurture future leaders who look towards the ocean.

The Marine Education Portal(www.ilovesea.or.kr) is where students, teachers, and anyone interested in the ocean can learn and share knowledge.

It is an online maritime education website open to any Korean citizen, in particular the youth who will be the leaders in the next generation. The portal allows them to easily learn about the ocean based on maritime education contents developed by various marine organizations and groups such as the Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries and the Korea Maritime Foundation.

The portal offers books, videos, and instructional guides for maritime education organized into sections such as Educational Resources, Teachers Resources, Youth Resources, News & Info, and Community. It will develop a community of learners that enables information exchange and sharing among users. Ultimately, the Marine Education Portal will play a pivotal role in reawakening the "Korean maritime soul" and practicing and instilling the maritime spirit into Korean people.

Educational Resources offers basic information needed to establish the concept and understanding of overall maritime sectors ranging from marine science through maritime industry to marine territory. The submenu "Maritime History", in particular, includes chronological tables of Korean and world history centering on their respective maritime histories, providing a snapshot of human history that has developed with the ocean and offering an opportunity to learn about the achievements and spirit of maritime figures who contributed to such historical development. In addition, such educational materials as the maritime terminology dictionary assist leaning and make it possible to understand basic maritime theories.

Teachers Resources provides marine education and research materials. These include educational guides as well as a wide range of information such as education cases, research data, and marine education programs and events nationwide including workshops, advanced academies, and education clubs.

Youth Resources offers maritime study information linked to textbooks from elementary schools to middle/high schools. You can find a variety of study materials including study aids such as marine textbooks, learning cartoons, workbooks, videos, and open lectures.

News & Info provides information on educational events and field trips to coastal areas and fishing villages, as well as maritime jobs and relevant certificates. Maritime-related jobs used to be regarded as tough and physically challenging, but they have transformed into high-paying professional jobs thanks to the recent advancement in high-end IT and technologies. It is noteworthy that a growing number of women have joined this arena. Here you can find must-have information for competent talents who will realize their dreams in the ocean and contribute to the national economic development.

Community presents a bulletin board and a feedback section, where users can share information and opinions and gain more information on the blogs of maritime organizations.

The Marine Education Portal provides all the education materials required to produce marine citizens of the 21st Century through creative education and training.

Ranging from basic study materials for students to advanced theory books for teachers and researchers, various levels and types of information on a range of maritime sectors such as science, history, culture and industry are presented in a fun and engaging format.