This year, the export value of seaweed is expected to surpass $1 billion (approximately 1.37 trillion won) for the first time, approaching 1.5 trillion won. At a related forum held at the National Assembly on the 17th, consensus was formed on the need for a control tower to support seaweed production companies and manage distribution and export promotion.
Kim Jong-ik, director of the Korea Seaweed Industry Development Institute, said at the forum titled "Future Development Strategies for Korea's Seaweed Industry" held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, that "the biggest issue facing the seaweed industry is the lack of a comprehensive control tower for industry development," adding, "It is also necessary to ensure consumer rights by maintaining appropriate seaweed prices and to protect public health, so a proactive public role is needed."
According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, seaweed achieved an export value of 1 trillion won for two consecutive years from 2023 to last year. As seaweed has emerged as a profitable export item, it has been dubbed "the black semiconductor of the sea." However, 82% of dry seaweed businesses are small enterprises with fewer than 10 permanent employees.
Kim argued that it is difficult to solve the problems facing the current seaweed industry solely through the roles of government-funded organizations. He claimed, "Government-funded organizations are not inherently business entities. There are limitations to revitalizing the seaweed industry ecosystem." He added, "Establishing a public corporation that can engage in direct business activities and investments is necessary."
Lee Seung-hwan, CEO of Korea Seaweed Products, said, "When looking at seaweed data by country, China ranks first in production volume, Japan ranks first in seaweed prices, and Thailand ranks first in the seaweed snack market share," and noted, "It is not enough that Korea's seaweed export growth is high; a foundation that encompasses overall policies is needed."
To this end, there is consensus in the industry on the need for a proposed "Korea Seaweed Industry Distribution Promotion Corporation." The roles of this corporation include ▲ handling government entrusted tasks ▲ exploring overseas markets ▲ supporting corporate growth and investment ▲ developing representative brand products by region ▲ developing and supporting processed foods such as seaweed snacks ▲ developing seaweed-related content ▲ promoting collaborative projects with local governments ▲ managing a seaweed fund that invests in seaweed processing companies, smart aquaculture, and startups.
Yoon Sang-hoon, head of the Export Processing Promotion Division of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, expressed his agreement with the establishment of an organization to strengthen the competitiveness of the seaweed industry but stated, "It is common for a special law to be enacted to establish a corporation, so if it is established as a corporation, a multifaceted review of its legal basis, scale, and roles must be conducted first."
Professor Lim Han-kyu from the Department of Marine Resources at Mokpo National University stated, "Although the seaweed industry is developing quite rapidly, there are many problems to be solved to develop it into a sustainable industry in the future," and emphasized the need for an organization that can play the role of a control tower.
Moon Geum-joo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who hosted the forum, said in her opening remarks, "The seaweed industry now holds an important industrial status as a national strategic export item beyond just a simple regional specialty," and noted, "It is urgent to establish a legal basis such as the establishment of a corporation to resolve the structural problems of the seaweed industry and strengthen international competitiveness."