The Republic of Korea has been re-elected to serve a two-year term on the IMO Council (Category A consisting of major shipping countries) at the 26th session of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London on November 27, 2009. Korea finished second in the vote with 138 votes (a total of 153 nations voting) following Japan, which earned 142 votes.

The IMO Council is responsible for deciding major policies concerning the operation of the IMO, including setting international standards relating to maritime affairs, approving budget and operating plans, and electing the Secretary-General. The Council comprises 10 major shipping countries (Category A), 10 countries whose cargo volumes are biggest (Category B), and 20 countries representing geographic areas of the world (Category C). Korea was elected as a member of the IMO Council under Category A. Council members elected under Category A besides Korea include Japan, China, Italy, United Kingdom, Greece, United states, Panama, Russia, and Norway.

This is the 10th consecutive time that Korea has been elected to the Council since its first election in 1991. Korea served five consecutive terms in Category C of the Council during 1991~2000, and five consecutive terms in Category A after 2001.

The IMO was established in 1958, and consists of 169 member states and 3 associate members. Korea joined the Organization as a full member in April, 1962.