Securing a Key Hub and Major Driving Force for Marine Science and Technology Research in the West Sea Region
During the 8th popularly elected term, Himssen Chungnam succeeded in attracting the West Sea Research Institute of the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) as a national institution to study key issues in the West Sea region.
On the morning of the 10th, Chungcheongnam-do held a press conference at the provincial government press center and announced that Seocheon County was finally selected as the pilot project site for the establishment of the KIOST West Sea Research Institute.
The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology is the nation’s leading global marine research institution, conducting fundamental, applied, and practical research necessary for the development of marine science, technology, and industry, as well as policy and institutional research on marine and polar science and technology, and the establishment of marine infrastructure such as marine science bases.
Believing that a specialized research institution is necessary to conduct marine science and technology research on issues such as changes in the marine environment and fishery resources due to climate change, tidal flat conservation, and marine litter problems in the West Sea region, the province has actively promoted the attraction of the West Sea Research Institute since last year in cooperation with Seocheon County, local members of the National Assembly, and others.
Another reason for attracting the West Sea Research Institute was the absence of a marine science and technology research hub in the West Sea region after KIOST relocated from Ansan in Gyeonggi Province to Busan during the first phase of public institution relocations from the capital area in 2018.
At the 'Marine and Fisheries Future Vision Declaration Ceremony' held in December last year, Chungnam Governor Kim Tae-heum expressed his strong will to attract the West Sea Research Institute, stating, "Through the attraction of the KIOST West Sea Research Institute, we will create an innovative marine science research hub on the west coast."
Recently, considering these various circumstances, KIOST decided to launch a pilot project for the establishment of the West Sea Research Institute to promote the creation of marine industries and rational development, utilization, and conservation through marine science and technology R&D in the West Sea region, and announced a call for candidate sites last month.
Chungcheongnam-do selected the Janghang National Ecological Industrial Complex in Seocheon as the optimal site, considering research convenience, accessibility and residential environment, the necessity and urgency of resolving local issues, and marine-related industry-academia-research networks. The province submitted its application and received top evaluations in all categories from KIOST, ultimately being honored with final selection as the project site.
With Seocheon finally selected as the pilot project site, KIOST will secure the necessary project budget by the end of this year in accordance with its regulations on establishing and operating external organizations. After conducting the pilot project for 30 months until 2028 and carrying out a feasibility study, KIOST will establish the West Sea Research Institute and develop specific operational plans.
Chungcheongnam-do estimates the project cost for establishing the West Sea Research Institute at approximately 49.8 billion KRW and expects the Janghang National Ecological Industrial Complex to be the most suitable candidate site.
The province anticipates that once the West Sea Research Institute is established and fully operational, it will be able to develop solutions to key issues in the West Sea region, including the protection of West Sea territory, coastal marine environment and tidal flats, Geum River estuary ecology, and basic and industrial research on marine biotechnology.
Jeon Sangwook, Director of the Provincial Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Bureau, said, "With Seocheon finally selected as the pilot project site for the West Sea Research Institute, it is significant that we have secured a key hub and driving force for marine science and technology research in the West Sea region. Going forward, we will actively respond to ensure the institute is formally established and operational after the pilot project, and we will collaborate closely with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, local National Assembly members, and Seocheon County to expand into related industries."
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