The International Council of Marine Industry Associations, ICOMIA, is delighted to welcome Korea Marine Industry Association as a Full Member.

Korea Marine Industry Association (KMIA) has 72 members covering all industry sectors, including marinas. They support a rapidly growing domestic recreational boating market with estimated regular users standing at over 100k. New participants, mainly driven by recreational inshore fishing, can be measured by the compulsory boat driving licence scheme run by the Korea Coast Guard Authority. This scheme currently has 320k total licences with an annual increase of over 20,000.

KMIA has a strong and growing core of high tech and new technology companies who are active and successful exporters reflecting the strategic national agenda to lead in all relevant sectors.

The industry is supported by the Korea International Boat Show (KIBS), the IFBSO Platinum Show, which was established in 2008 and is now a joint venture shared with the Recreational Fishing Show. The 2024 exhibition, held in Goyang (near Seoul) attracted more than 60,000 visitors.

Driven by a boat user safety and after sales awareness, they also support a well-established, government recognised boat technician vocational training programme covering outboard and inboard engines, electrical installations and hull repairs.

 Dr. Choong-hwan Kim, Special Adviser to KMIA and General Manager of KIBSsaid: “Korea has a strong and growing recreational boating industry. We are delighted to join ICOMIA as a full member and look forward to being a fully active part of ICOMIA and to support their drive for change in the Asia market”.