Jung Gu-jin, Director of the Marine Bio Research Center, Awarded the Hwangjo Geunjeong Medal

Contribution to the Hygiene and Safety Mapping of Korean Seafood and the Increase of Seafood Exports

Jung Gyu-jin, Director of the Marine Bio Research Center, received the Hwangjo Geunjeong Medal from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. (Photo by Wando-gun)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] Jeonnam Wando-gun (Governor Shin Woo-cheol) announced on the 2nd that Jeong Gyu-jin, Director of the Marine Bio Research Center, was awarded the prestigious 'Order of Service Merit, Yellow Stripes' by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 26th of last month at Jeonnam Provincial University in recognition of his outstanding research activities and dedicated educational efforts in the field of fishery processing and food industry, contributing to the development of the nation and the university.

The Order of Service Merit, Yellow Stripes, is awarded to public officials and private school employees who have been faithful to their duties and have clear achievements. As a second-class order, it is the highest honor among awards given to those who have served for more than 40 years.

Starting his public service career as a fishery product inspector at the National Fishery Products Inspection Service (currently the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service), Director Jeong has been recognized for his contributions over more than 40 years as an expert in the fishery biological industry, including ensuring the safety of fishery food products, providing technical guidance to improve the quality of export products, and nurturing the next generation in related industries.

In particular, as Korea's first U.S. FDA inspector (State Shellfish Standardization Officer), he greatly contributed to the activation of shellfish exports today through inspection and guidance of shellfish export processing plants. He has published over 40 academic papers such as "Physiological Functionality of Porphyran Isolated from Kim (Porphyra yezoensis)" and holds 10 patents including "Drying Method for Semi-dried Seasoned Abalone Meat." As a fishery manufacturing technician, he has also played a role in providing technical guidance to companies.

Furthermore, he served as a professor at Jeonnam Provincial University for 21 years, dedicating himself to nurturing future talents in food-related fields including fishery processing, and held key positions within the university such as Director of Academic Planning and Dormitory Supervisor.

He is evaluated to have greatly contributed to the systematic organization of the university and ensuring that students can lead comfortable and safe school lives, and he was also appointed as an honorary professor.

Currently, as the 5th Director of the Marine Bio Research Center at the Jeonnam Bio Industry Promotion Foundation (Chairman: Governor of Jeollanam-do), a research institute funded by Jeollanam-do, he is focusing on fostering the bioindustry based on various marine biological resources of Jeonnam, and is dedicating efforts to research and development of functional food and pharmaceuticals using seaweed and shellfish, as well as antiviral research for COVID-19 suppression.

Director Jeong Gyu-jin said, "I consider it a great honor to receive this medal from the nation," and added, "I will do my best to develop Jeonnam's marine bioindustry and to activate the marine healing industry, which is the food source for Wando-gun's future 100 years."