The Korea National Park Service (KNPS) announced it researched marine biota in Sejondo Island and Hongdo Island, which were incorporated in the Hallyeohaesang national park and discovered diverse marine life such as a species of pine and Putter's giant sea anemone, which are endangered species II.

According to the research by the National Park Research Institute under KNPS, many marine invertebrate such as Solanderia secunda, Fluorescent coral and Blue-ring sea squirt inhabit Sejondo Island. Also, soft corals such as a species of pine and Putter's giant sea anemone and fishes such as a bluestriped angelfish and Chromis notata inhabit Hongdo Island.

As a species of pine, Putter's giant sea anemone, Blue-ring sea squirt, Centonardoa semiregulars and bluestriped angelfish usually inhabit Jeju Island, Dokdo Island and the southern coast area, which are influenced by the Tsushima current, it is assumed that marine environment of Sejondo Island and Hongdo Island is changing into a subtropical climate.

Located in Gyeongsangnam-do, Seojondo Island and Hongdo Island are uninhabited islands and have excellent topographical, geological and natural features. The areas of the two islands are 33,000㎡ and 98,000㎡ respectively and Hongdo Island is Korean National Monument number 355.

Kwon Hyeok-gyun, director of the National Park Research Institute, said the institute will conduct a detailed investigation into life of the islands and change in their environment so as to preserve ecosystem of the oceanic national parks against change in marine environment.

Blue-ring sea squirt

Centonardoa semiregulars

Bluestriped angelfish

A species of pine