The present invention relates to a recording medium and apparatus and method for managing defective areas in the recording medium. According to an embodiment, the method includes (a) reading a defect management information recorded on a defect management area, the defect management information including second information specifying a location of a replacement area to replace the defective area and status information specifying whether or not the defective area is replaced; (b) identifying the defect management information; and (c) controlling a writing operation according to the result of step (b).