An Overview Of Operations And Applications Of Hf Ocean Radar Networks In The Korean Coast

This paper aims to i) introduce the characteristics of HF ocean radar and the major results and information produced by the radar networks in the Korean coasts to the readers, ii) make an up-to-date inventory of the existing radar systems, and iii) share the information related to the radar operating skill and the ocean current data application. The number of ocean radars has been showing a significant growth over the past 20 years, currently deploying more than 44 radars in the Korean coasts. Most of radars are in operation at the present time for the purposes related to the marine safety, tidal current forecast and understanding of ocean current dynamics, mainly depending on the mission of each organization operating radar network. We hope this overview paper may help expand the applicability of the ocean radar to fisheries, leisure activity on the sea, ocean resource management, oil spill response, coastal environment restoration, search and rescue, and vessel detection etc., beyond the level of understanding of tidal and ocean current dynamics. Additionally we hope this paper contributes further to the surveillance activity on our ocean territory by founding a national ocean radar network frame and to the domestic development of ocean radar system including signal processing technology.