A Comparative Legal Review of Fight against Coastal Erosion in Korea and France

One reason for the constant change of coastlines is related to natural factors such as waves, tides, changes in ocean currents, and sea level rise, and another reason is with regard to artificial factors such as man-made structures in coastal areas. The recent intensification of climate change is accelerating common efforts around the world to cope with the phenomenon of beach regression. Korea designates Coastal Erosion Management Zones under the 'Coast Management Act' to mitigate its coastal erosion. France, on the other hand, enacted the 2021 Climate Act that promotes adaptation to territory due to beach regression, while gradually limiting development activities at the urban planning level according to the proximity of the coastline through Loi Littoral (The French Coastal Law). This paper reviews the coastal erosion management legislation of both countries, derives implications for legislation in Korea based on an assessment ofFrench legislation, and presents an improvement plan.