A recording medium, and a method and apparatus for manage the recording medium are disclosed.A method for managing a recording medium including a plurality of recording
layers, according to an aspect of the present invention, comprises detecting a defect on a first area of a first
recording layer of the recording medium; recording first defect management information for the first area in a
management area of the recording medium; and recording, in the
management area, second defect management information for a second area of a second
recording layer, wherein the second area is in a location physically corresponding to that of the first area.A method for managing a recording medium, according to another aspect of the present invention, comprises recording a defect
list, which includes management information for a defective area of the recording medium, in at least one defect
list position contained in a
management area of the recording medium; and recording status information indicating a
record status of the defect
list position.