해상도시의 법적지위와 해상도시 건설을 위한 법제도 쟁점에 관한 연구 - Oceanix Busan 건립계획을 중심으로-

This study examines the legal status of floating cities and the legal challenges associated with their construction as an international response to sea-level rise caused by climate change. Focusing on the "Oceanix Busan" project, the world's first floating city planned for Busan's North Harbor, the paper analyzes the status of artificial islands under international law and reviews key domestic legal issues. Under international law, specifically the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), floating cities are categorized as artificial islands or installations. While they can be constructed within or beyond coastal state jurisdiction, they do not possess the status of islands or their own territorial waters. From a domestic legal perspective, as Oceanix Busan is located within a trading port, it requires complex administrative procedures, including reflection in the harbor master plan, permission for the use of public waters, and marine spatial suitability consultations. This paper identifies and evaluates five essential legal elements for the realization of floating cities: 1) the scope and use of water areas, 2) the authority of business entities, 3) regulations for structures, 4) the exercise of property rights, and 5) marine environmental protection. These findings provide a foundational legal framework for future maritime space utilization in response to the climate crisis.