The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry will help develop a geostationary satellite to observe the nation's maritime regions.

The Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute, a ministry affiliate, and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) will jointly develop the satellite with Astrium of France.

The satellite will monitor maritime regions including the East Sea, Yellow Sea and South China Sea, as well as the Korea Peninsula.

The ministry said Tuesday that the satellite can take clear high-resolution photos every hour.

The satellite is also expected to significantly help analysis of yellow sand movement and detection of forest fires or heavy snow.