A Study on the Legal Character of Maritime Disaster Rescue Activities: Focusing on Whether They Constitute Volunteer Activity

doi:10.15683/kosdi.2026.9.30.928

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2026 Vol.22, Issue 3 Preview Page Next Page

Original Article

A Study on the Legal Character of Maritime Disaster Rescue Activities: Focusing on Whether They Constitute Volunteer Activity 해양재난구조활동의 법적 성격에 관한 연구: 자원봉사활동 해당여부를 중심으로: 김석규*
Suk-kyu Kim*; Superintendent, Korea Coast Guard Headquarters, Incheon, Republic of Korea

30 September 2026. pp. 928-938

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Abstract

Purpose: This study examines the legal character of maritime disaster rescue activities, focusing on whether they satisfy voluntariness and non-remuneration, following the enforcement of the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Maritime Disaster Rescue Teams. Method: This study conducted a doctrinal analysis of the Act, its Enforcement Decree and Rules, Korea Coast Guard statistics, and prior studies, comparing its provisions with those of the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Volunteer Fire Brigades in terms of voluntariness and non-remuneration. Result: Maritime disaster rescue activities did not fully satisfy voluntariness, given statutory qualifications, formal appointment, and mobilization orders, nor non-remuneration, given statutory expenses and allowances. Conclusion: The Maritime Disaster Rescue Team should be redefined not as a voluntary organization, but as an administrative assistance body operating under a dual structure in which the state retains core authority over appointment and status while management and training are entrusted to a private association; future legislation and policy should reflect this accordingly.

Keywords

Maritime Disaster Rescue Team

Maritime Disaster Rescue Activity

Volunteer Activity

Voluntariness

Non-remuneration

Legal Character

연구목적: 본 연구는 ｢해양재난구조대의 설치 및 운영에 관한 법률｣제정 및 시행 이후 해양재난구조활동이 자원봉사활동에 해당하는지를 자발성과 무급성을 중심으로 검토하고, 그 법적 성격을 규명하는 것을 목적으로 하였다. 연구방법: 동법 및 시행령·시행규칙 조문, 해양경찰청 통계자료, 선행연구를 대상으로 문헌연구를 실시하였으며, 육상에서 유사한 조직체계를 구성하는 ｢의용소방대 설치 및 운영에 관한 법률｣의 대응 조문과 대조하여 자발성·무급성을 기준으로 비교·분석하였다. 연구결과: 해양재난구조활동은 신분 성립에 법정 자격 요건과 행정청 위촉 행위가 요구되고 소집명령에 따른 지휘·감독 체계가 확인되어 자발성을 온전히 내포하지 못하였으며, 경비·수당 지급 제도에 비추어 무급성 역시 완벽히 충족한다고 단정하기 어려웠다. 결론: 해양재난구조대는 순수한 자원봉사단체가 아니라, 신분상 핵심 권한은 국가가 직접 관장하고 관리·교육 기능은 민간 협회에 위탁하는 이원적 운영 구조를 가진 행정보조조직으로 재정립될 필요가 있으며, 향후 법제와 정책도 이러한 법적 성격을 반영하여 개선될 필요가 있다.

키워드

해양재난구조대

해양재난구조활동

자원봉사활동

자발성

무급성

법적 성격

References

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Darvill, G., Munday, B. (1984). Volunteers in the Personal Social Service. Tavistock Publications, London, UK.
Joo, H.J. (2024). “A study on institutional improvement measures for revitalizing civilian rescue forces in maritime accidents.” Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education, Vol. 36, No. 6, pp. 1147-1166. 10.13000/JFMSE.2024.12.36.6.1147
Jung, J.K. (2012). “Reinterpretation of the Volunteer Concept and Exploration of Its Integrated Application.” Korean Journal of Social Welfare Administration, Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 31-52.
Jung, Y.C. (2016). A Study on Improvement Measures for Volunteer Fire Brigades: Focusing on the Cheongyang Region and Overseas Cases. Master Thesis, Kongju National University.
Kim, G.H. (2024). “Institutional settlement measures for the maritime disaster rescue team following the enforcement of the maritime disaster rescue team act.” Proceedings of the 2024 Joint Conference of the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology Councils, Jeju, Korea, p. 182
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Information

Publisher :The Korean Society of Disaster Information
Publisher(Ko) :한국재난정보학회
Journal Title :Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
Journal Title(Ko) :한국재난정보학회논문집
Volume : 22
No :3
Pages :928-938
DOI :https://doi.org/10.15683/kosdi.2026.9.30.928

[1] Cnaan, R.A., Handy, F., Wadsworth, M. (1996). “Defining who is a volunteer: Conceptual and empirical considerations.” Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, Vol. 25, No. 3, pp. 364-383. 10.1177/0899764096253006

[2] Darvill, G., Munday, B. (1984). Volunteers in the Personal Social Service. Tavistock Publications, London, UK.

[3] Joo, H.J. (2024). “A study on institutional improvement measures for revitalizing civilian rescue forces in maritime accidents.” Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education, Vol. 36, No. 6, pp. 1147-1166. 10.13000/JFMSE.2024.12.36.6.1147

[4] Jung, J.K. (2012). “Reinterpretation of the Volunteer Concept and Exploration of Its Integrated Application.” Korean Journal of Social Welfare Administration, Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 31-52.

[5] Jung, Y.C. (2016). A Study on Improvement Measures for Volunteer Fire Brigades: Focusing on the Cheongyang Region and Overseas Cases. Master Thesis, Kongju National University.

[6] Kim, G.H. (2024). “Institutional settlement measures for the maritime disaster rescue team following the enforcement of the maritime disaster rescue team act.” Proceedings of the 2024 Joint Conference of the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology Councils, Jeju, Korea, p. 182

[7] Kim, Y.H., Oh, J.O., Kim, S.J., Moon, H.S., Lee, E.K. (2006). Theory and Practice of Volunteer Activity. Changjisa, Seoul.

[8] Koo, S.S., Na, S.W., Na, J.K., Lim, J.M., Yoo, J.W., Kim, T.S. (2012). Volunteerism. Jeongminsa, Seoul.

[9] Korea Coast Guard (2023). Activities of Civilian Maritime Rescue Teams for Building a Safe Sea. Press Release, Incheon, Korea.

[10] Korea Coast Guard, Search and Rescue Division (2026). Operational Status Data of the Maritime Disaster Rescue Team. Internal Data, Korea Coast Guard, Incheon, Korea.

[11] Korea National Council on Social Welfare (1987). Status and Promotion of Volunteer Activities. Korea National Council on Social Welfare, Seoul, Korea.

[12] Lee, H.Y. (2024). “Changes in Korean society after the Sewol ferry disaster: Focusing on major related legislation.” Citizen and World, Vol. 45, pp. 69-108. 10.35548/cw.2024.12.45.69

[13] Lee, J.M., Kim, Y.K. (2009). “A comparative study on maritime rescue volunteer organizations.” Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety, Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 385-392.

[14] Lee, S.C., Jung, Y.J. (2023). “A study on the legal status of civilian maritime rescue team members under the proposed act on the establishment and operation of civilian maritime rescue teams.” Journal of the Korean Association of Ocean Police Science, Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 85-107. 10.30887/jkmps.2023.13.3.085

[15] Lee, W.J., Kwon, S.Y. (2017). “Changes in the academic concept of volunteer fire-fighting activities following the enforcement of the act on the establishment and operation of volunteer fire brigades.” Fire Science and Engineering, Vol. 31, No. 5, pp. 87-94. 10.7731/KIFSE.2017.31.5.087

[16] McBride, A.M., Gonzales, E., Morrow-Howell, N., McCrary, S. (2011). “Stipends in volunteer civic service: Inclusion, retention, and volunteer benefits.” Public Administration Review, Vol. 71, No. 6, pp. 850-858. 10.1111/j.1540-6210.2011.02419.x

[17] Ministry of Government Legislation (2012). Act on the Search and Rescue, etc. in Waters, Act No. 11368, Korea.

[18] Ministry of Government Legislation (2014). Act on the Establishment and Operation of Volunteer Fire Brigades, Act No. 12844, Korea.

[19] Ministry of Government Legislation (2016). Framework Act on Volunteer Service Activities, Act No. 14473, Korea.

[20] Ministry of Government Legislation (2024). Act on the Establishment and Operation of Maritime Disaster Rescue Teams, Act No. 19911, Korea.

[21] Ministry of Government Legislation (2024). Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Maritime Disaster Rescue Teams, Presidential Decree No. 35045, Korea.

[22] Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (2025). Enforcement Rules of the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Maritime Disaster Rescue Teams, Ordinance No. 711, Korea.

[23] National Assembly Bill Information System (2024). Bill No. 2125858. Retrieved from https://likms.assembly.go.kr/bill/bi/main/mainPage.do

[24] Noh, H.R., Son, Y.T. (2025). “Improvement measures for the maritime disaster rescue team system.” Journal of the Korean Association of Ocean Police Science, Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 277-308.

[25] Ryu, C.J. (2013). A Study on the Development Plan of Volunteer Fire Brigade Organizations. Master Thesis, Kangwon National University.

[26] Sherraden, M.S., Lough, B., McBride, A.M. (2008). “Effects of international volunteering and service: Individual and institutional predictors.” Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, Vol. 19, No. 4, pp. 395-421. 10.1007/s11266-008-9072-x

[27] Sider, V.M., Kirshbaum, D.C. (1977). “Volunteers.” Encyclopedia of Social Work, Vol. 2, p. 1582.

[28] Sun, G.T. (2015). “A study on the systematic management of civilian maritime rescue forces for the efficiency of water rescue operations.” Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety, Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 409-420. 10.7837/kosomes.2015.21.4.409

[29] Supreme Court of Korea, Dec. 7, 1990, 90DaKa19647.

[30] Supreme Court of Korea, Feb. 9, 1999, 97Da56235.

[31] Supreme Court of Korea, July 9, 2020, 2018Du38000.

[32] Supreme Court of Korea, Nov. 14, 2024, 2020Da227189.

[33] Tschirhart, M., Mesch, D.J., Perry, J.L., Miller, T.K., Lee, G. (2001). “Stipended volunteers: Their goals, experiences, satisfaction, and likelihood of future service.” Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, Vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 422-443. 10.1177/0899764001303002

Journal of the Society of Disaster Information ISSN:1976-2208(Print) 2671-5287(Online) 한국재난정보학회논문집

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