Global expansion of Korean seaweed production; shift towards organic methods and sustainability practices
South Korea is spearheading a seaweed revolution, focusing on expanding "sea forests" and developing land-based seaweed farming as part of its ambitious climate change mitigation efforts. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has set a target to increase Korea's blue carbon absorption to 1.07 million tons by 2030 and 1.36 million tons by 2050.
Key developments and future plans include the creation and expansion of sea forests, with the ministry aiming to add 626 hectares in the Incheon and Gyeonggi regions by 2026. This expansion is part of a broader effort that includes developing 2,700 hectares of new farming zones in 2025, with the goal of stabilizing supply and meeting global gim (dried seaweed) demand, while supporting coastal livelihoods and marine biodiversity.
In response to climate-driven challenges such as rising sea temperatures, South Korea is investing in controlled land-based cultivation. A 35 billion won ($25.2 million) national project is underway, running through 2029, to develop new year-round seaweed seed varieties and controlled marine farming systems. Companies like CJ CheilJedang, Daesang, and Pulmuone are pioneering pilot and commercial-scale land farming of gim, with plans for commercialization between 2023 and 2028.
To deal with warming seas and risks like seaweed bleaching, the ministry plans to relocate farms to more suitable waters and distribute improved seedlings and treatments. This is aimed at safeguarding future yields alongside enforcement actions against illegal aquaculture.
Wando-gun in South Jeolla Province, Korea's largest seaweed-producing region, is a focal point in global blue carbon discussions. In 2021, NASA praised Wando's sustainable farming practices for seaweed-based carbon mitigation. Experts anticipate that new methods of gim cultivation, such as land-based farming, could become the industry's dominant production model within the next decade.
South Korea's commitment to seaweed-based climate strategies extends beyond food production. The country is already the third-largest producer of seaweed and the top exporter of gim, and the World Bank's 2023 Global Seaweed Markets Report projects the growth of seaweed-based markets by $11.8 billion by 2030.
Na Jung-ho, a senior researcher at the Jeonbuk Institute, stated that land-based gim cultivation represents a strategic pivot with the potential to restructure the industry and redefine national fisheries policy. This shift towards sustainable, climate-resilient farming methods not only secures Korea's position as a global leader in seaweed production but also positions it as a climate solution through large-scale blue carbon projects.
The US Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy is collaborating with the Korean government on a joint project for offshore seaweed farming, running through 2029. In November 2021, the local government of Wando-gun, South Jeolla Province, visited NASA to discuss seaweed's blue carbon certification.
Seaweed, known as "gim" in Korean, is a staple in South Korea's ocean bounty. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is creating underwater ecosystems densely populated with seaweed species, known as "sea forests." These sea forests absorb around 117,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, making seaweed a powerful climate ally, referred to as "blue carbon" in ocean and coastal ecosystems.
With its ambitious targets, innovative farming methods, and commitment to sustainable practices, South Korea is poised to lead the way in seaweed-based climate solutions, not just for its own benefit, but for the global community as well.
- In addition to its expansion of "sea forests," South Korea is also investing in technology to develop new year-round seaweed seed varieties and controlled marine farming systems, as part of its strategy to combat climate change through environmental science.
- As the third-largest producer of seaweed and the top exporter of gim, South Korea is leveraging its seaweed industry not only for food production but also as a means to contribute to climate change mitigation efforts on a global scale, through large-scale blue carbon projects in collaboration with international partners such as the US Department of Energy.
