Jeonbuk Aims to Grow Seaweed Industry Beyond Production to Processing and Exports

Jeonbuk Province is launching an ambitious plan to transform its seaweed industry, currently focused on raw물김 (mul-gim, raw seaweed) production, into a comprehensive ecosystem encompassing processing, distribution, and export. The province aims to grow the industry to a 300 billion won scale by 2030.

The core of this strategy is the Saemangeum Fisheries Food Complex, which will serve as a hub for seaweed processing and distribution. The first phase involves an investment of 62.3 billion won to build facilities including smart processing complexes. By 2027, 11 fisheries food companies, including six specialized seaweed processors, are expected to move in. The province has also secured additional land to potentially double the complex's size, aiming to attract more businesses and foster collaboration.

Furthermore, Jeonbuk is pursuing the designation of the Gogun-san Islands area as a seaweed industry promotion zone. This designation would enable the development of essential infrastructure for production and processing, such as eco-friendly raw seaweed management vessels and water purification facilities. The province also plans to expand seaweed cultivation areas and establish seed banks, exploring the possibility of land-based seaweed farming.

Kim Cheol-tae, head of Jeonbuk's Saemangeum Marine and Fisheries Bureau, stated, "We will build a full-cycle seaweed industry ecosystem where seaweed produced in Jeonbuk is processed and distributed within the province and exported to the global market, thereby increasing regional added value."

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We will build a full-cycle seaweed industry ecosystem where seaweed produced in Jeonbuk is processed and distributed within the province and exported to the global market, thereby increasing regional added value.