South Korea plans to build more international marinas in a move to promote marine sports here and also help create new jobs in the industry, the government said Wednesday.

Under the plan, announced by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, the government will first simplify its regulations for the industry to help boost investment.

In addition, the government will expand the number of free try-out services from the current 180,000 per year to 500,000 from next year, according to the ministry.

“This will help anyone in the country enjoy yachts and other marine sports at a lower price while expanding the number of foreigners coming here to enjoy marine sports,” it said in a press release.

The ministry said the plan will help create some 30,000 new jobs by 2015 when the country seeks to become an “international hub of marine sports.” It said the number of marinas will also more than double from the current 17 to 44 by 2019.
 
(Yonhap News)