Korea has again been elected as a Category A member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, marking its 13th consecutive term, government officials said Friday.

The decision was made during the IMO’s 34th general meeting in London, where member states selected the 10 countries that hold the greatest interest in global shipping services. Korea has remained in this group since 2001, maintaining its position through biennial voting.

According to the oceans and foreign ministries, the renewed term reaffirms Korea’s standing within the international maritime community and reflects the country’s long-running role in shipping policy discussions.

Oceans Minister Chun Jae-soo, who visited Britain during the election week, said the outcome underscores Korea’s strength in both shipping and shipbuilding. He noted that Korea intends to play an active role in IMO rulemaking, emphasizing that aligning international standards with national priorities will help reinforce competitiveness across the marine industries.