South Korea and China will begin a joint research project this year to study the environmental implications of industrialization to the marine ecosystem in waters between the two countries.

The so-called Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem (YSLME) project will be partially funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The UNDP-backed GEF helps developing countries fund projects and programs that protect the global environment.

The project will focus on five research categories, including fisheries, pollution, ecosystem and variety of species, to be conducted until 2009.

GEF will provide funding for 14 million dollars out of the 24 million estimated funds necessary for the project. The remainder will be jointly burdened by South Korea and China.