JAMAICA, Kingston (12 May 2016) - - On 10 May 2016, the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority received an application for approval of a plan of work for exploration for cobalt-rich ferromanganese Crusts submitted by the government of the Republic of Korea.

The area under application is located east of the Northern Mariana Islands and covers a total of 3,000 square kilometres.

In accordance with the Regulations on Prospecting and Exploration for Cobalt-rich Ferromanganese Crusts in the Area, the members of the Legal and Technical Commission will be notified of the above application and consideration of this application will be placed on the agenda of the Commission at its next meeting, which is scheduled to commence on 4 July 2016.