Seo Samseok: "Creating High Added Value by Utilizing Discarded Seaweed"

5,690 Tons of Discarded Mulkim...
Seasoned Seaweed Processing Could Yield 35 Billion KRW in Profits
"We Need to Explore Storing Seaweed for Use During Non-Production Periods"

Seosamsuk, Member of the National Assembly.

Recently, as seawater temperatures have remained optimal for water seaweed (Mulkim) cultivation, production has surged, leading to issues with discarded seaweed. An analysis has drawn attention by suggesting that if the amount discarded had been processed, it could have generated over 10 billion KRW in economic benefits.

From October last year to February 7 of this year, the amount of discarded Mulkim reached 5,690 tons. Based on data submitted to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the estimated production by region was: Jindo 2,283 tons, Goheung 1,462 tons, Haenam 799 tons, Gunsan 208 tons, and others 938 tons.

According to an analysis commissioned by Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Samseok (Yeongam, Muan, Shinan, Jeonnam) to the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), the wholesale price of dried seaweed converted from the discarded Mulkim as of February 7 this year was estimated at 3.7 billion KRW. If processed into dried seaweed, the potential profit would have been about five times higher, reaching 18.38 billion KRW. Since one bundle of dried seaweed is made from 4kg of Mulkim, the recent 5,690 tons of discarded Mulkim could have produced over 1.58 million bundles of dried seaweed.

In particular, according to the “Study on the Establishment and Operation of the National Seaweed Industry Research Institute” promoted by Jeonnam Province in 2016, the added value of seasoned seaweed is 1.9 times higher than that of dried seaweed. If the discarded Mulkim had been processed into seasoned seaweed, it is calculated that more than 35.6 billion KRW in revenue could have been generated.

Seo emphasized, “If the discarded Mulkim had been stored and converted into dried seaweed, it could have generated about five times more profit, and even greater added value if used for seasoned seaweed.” He added, “As seawater temperatures fluctuate rapidly due to the climate crisis, we should actively consider storing seaweed so it can be used during the non-production period from April to September.”