Over the last three decades, the sea level around the island has risen more than 4 millimeters every year on average.
That’s the highest in the nation and the rate of rise has been increasing.
Todd Thacker reports.

Since 1989, the sea level around Jeju has risen on average 4.26 millimeters annually.
That is a 13 centimeter increase in the last three decades.


The national annual average is 2.97 millimeters per year.
Levels for the West Sea, South Sea and East Sea are below 3.5 millimeters.
Jeju waters have recorded the highest sea level rise at 4.26 millimeters annually.
By region, the sea level observation station in Jeju City observed the highest increase at 5.43 millimeters. Seogwipo City measured the same as the national average.



A major issue of concern is that the rate is increasing.

[slug] Global warming accelerates, melting glaciers and raising ocean temperatures

The culprit is the acceleration of global warming.
Excessive emissions of carbon dioxide is heating the planet. Ocean temperatures rise and glaciers melt as the climate warms, increasing the overall volume of the sea.

INTERVIEW
Yi Eun-il / Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency
The warm Tsushima current could contribute to faster sea level rise in Jeju waters. The seabed where some observation stations are located may have also sank, making it look as if the local sea levels have risen more than other regions.
<인터뷰 : 이은일 / 국립해양조사원 연구실장>
"제주도가 높은 이유는 전 세계적인 해수면 상승에다가 제주 인근 해역의 대마난류의 영향에 의해서 요인이 될 수도 있고요. 그 지역에서 조의계가 설치된 지점에서 국지적인 침하가 일어나서."

Decades of sea level rise from thermal expansion and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets ultimately leads to land loss.
Coastal areas will see more erosion, which may change local ecologies.


[Reporter] Todd Thacker
[Camera] Kim Yong-min
[CG] Park Hye-jin

A concerted effort at both the national and regional level is urgently needed to tackle climate change and the damaging effects of global warming.

Todd Thacker, KCTV