1. Study Objectives and Method

▮ Research objectives

￮ Recent environmental considerations compel Jeollabuk-do to formulate key strategies to advance its marine bio industry and expand its ecosystems to ensure the sustainable growth of the said industry. Therefore, Jeollabuk-do aims to promote the region’s marine bio industry as a future growth engine by crafting relevant key strategies and action plans. 

￮ Given the time-consuming nature of marine bio industry, which includes technology development and commercialization, industrial infrastructure investment/construction, and regulation reforms, this study takes a mid-to long-term approach (2024-2033) to examine the current status and conditions of Jeollabuk-do’s’ marine bio industry, analyze industrial development policies, and formulate related strategies and an action roadmap.

▮ Research Scope and Methods

￮ To establish the concept of the marine bio industry and investigate the industry’s current status and applicable policies at home and abroad, this study, which targets not only Korea (including Jeollabuk-do) but also other major countries, conducted 1) a literature review of scholarly articles, reports, and diverse legal and policy documents, and 2) an information review that utilized statistics and situation surveys to analyze corresponding companies, industrial structures, and economic indicators.

￮ Additionally, this study capitalized on a series of advisory sessions with experts from the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, the Korea Maritime Institute, and the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology to set goals and create a blueprint for the marine bio industry specifically tailored to Jeollabuk-do.

2. Conclusion and Policy Suggestion

▮ Conclusions

￮ Based on the bio industry, marine biology refers to a field in which marine living resources are used as raw materials to develop products and services that leverage marine biotechnologies. The marine bio industry has numerous applications in areas such as resources, food, medicine, chemicals, energy, research and development, and services. 

￮ The said industry is growing rapidly, driven by sharp increases in demand for food, medicine, and energy that warrant global attention along with carbon neutrality. The world’s major countries, including Korea, are expanding their investments in R&D and related infrastructure to proactively achieve market dominance in the global marine biomarket. 

￮ Jeollabuk-do has an advantage in terms of location suitability and industrial relevance, both of which are necessary to promote the marine bio industry. According to a SWOT analysis, the region (Jeollabuk-do) is advised to prioritize the following strategic areas: creating innovative ecosystems, reinforcing core sector and industry networks, developing region-specific leading technologies, and advancing marine bioindustrial structures.

▮ Policy Suggestions

￮ Jeollabuk-do’s vision involving the marine bio industry, given the region’s eligibility for the promotion of the marine bio industry and the related strategic roadmap, is to establish itself as a hub for future cutting-edge bioindustries through the expansion and advancement of marine bio industry ecosystems. Taking into account the policy factors associated with expanding and advancing industrial ecosystems and constructing pertinent infrastructure, specific action plans were developed for this vision.

￮ Major action plans include (1) supporting the expansion of Jeollabuk-do’s marine bio industry ecosystems and constructing stable marine resource supply systems; (2) establishing Jeollabuk-do’s marine bio industry cluster to facilitate the process of constructing related infrastructure while developing education and training programs designed to cultivate marine biology experts; and (3) securing key technologies required to advance the marine bio industry and promoting relevant companies in Jeollabuk-do.​ 

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