Haeyang 250 Crewed Submersible Held by the National Maritime Museum of Korea Wins Award of Excellence in Preliminary Cultural Heritage Contest

[Financial News] The National Maritime Museum of Korea, located in the Yeongdo Marine Cluster in Busan and headed by Kim Jong-hae, announced on the 17th that “Haeyang 250 and Related Records,” held by the museum, won an Award of Excellence at the 3rd Preliminary Cultural Heritage Discovery Contest organized by the Korea Heritage Service.
The collection was recognized for its value through an expert on-site evaluation and a public vote.
“Haeyang 250 and Related Records” consists of Haeyang 250, Korea’s first crewed submersible, along with records documenting its development and operation, including research reports and research notes.
Haeyang 250 was Korea’s first crewed submersible developed using the country’s ocean science and technology capabilities. It is an important resource that illustrates the growth of Korea’s ocean science and technology sector in the 1980s and the history of deep-sea exploration technology development.
The submersible was built at the end of 1985, acquired in 1986, and then put into full operation. It was used for ocean surveys and research for approximately 10 years. Capable of descending to a maximum depth of 251 meters, it contributed to the development of Korea’s ocean survey and exploration technologies.
The contest entry presented not only the Haeyang 250 submersible itself but also related records, such as research reports and research notes produced during its development, providing a more comprehensive view of its value.


These records contain information on the submersible’s research and development process, technical reviews, testing, and operation. They provide a detailed account of how Haeyang 250 was developed and eventually used in actual research operations.
The National Maritime Museum of Korea entered the contest because it recognized that Haeyang 250 is more than a piece of scientific and technological equipment. It is an industrial and scientific heritage asset symbolizing a period in the development of Korea’s ocean science and technology.
Kim Jong-hae, director of the National Maritime Museum of Korea, said, "This award confirms once again that the Haeyang 250 submersible is an important heritage asset that demonstrates the history of Korea’s ocean science and technology development." He added, "We will continue to investigate and study the Haeyang 250 submersible and its related records. Through cooperation with relevant institutions and researchers, we will work to systematically further clarify the materials’ historical and technological significance."
The National Maritime Museum of Korea plans to establish management measures for the stable preservation and use of the Haeyang 250 submersible. It will also supplement the materials’ historical context through additional research into related materials and the researchers who participated in the project.
The museum also plans to actively use the materials in exhibitions and educational content highlighting the history of the development of Korea’s ocean exploration equipment and technologies.
[email protected] Byun Ok-hwan Reporter