- Construction begins on a high‑tech central hub applying Smart HACCP based on AI and IoT
- Construction underway for a seawater intake and drainage facility—essential infrastructure for the seafood sector—with a capacity of approx. 30,000 tons per day
- Gunsan Saemangeum Seafood Export Processing Complex to generate KRW 242.2 billion in private investment and approx. 500 jobs
The Official Start of a Fisheries Revival in Jeonbuk and Gunsan
On November 6, Gunsan City held a grand groundbreaking ceremony for the “Saemangeum Smart Seafood Processing Complex” (the “Smart Fisheries Processing Centre”) and the “Gunsan Saemangeum Seafood Export Processing Complex” (the “Seafood Complex”), which includes eleven private tenant companies.
The Core Hub of the Gunsan Saemangeum Seafood Complex: “Smart Fisheries Processing Center”
With a total project cost of KRW 38 billion, the complex will serve as a core hub for the seafood industry, integrating Smart Factory‑type automated plants using artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of things (IoT) technology, apartment‑style rental processing facilities, a Research and Development (R&D) and business startup support centre, and youth incubator facilities. Through this, the complex is expected to accelerate advanced technology in the seafood industry and become a new growth engine that strengthens competitiveness across the industry, including enterprise and export support.
Development of Local Specialty Products and Becoming a Global K‑Seafood Leading City
The Smart Factory within the Smart Fisheries Processing Centre will produce specialised products using a variety of Gunsan’s seafood, developed through technical consulting from the Digital Factory Business Group at the Korea Food Research Institute, a specialised agency under the Ministry of Science and ICT. In particular, beginning with a product‑preference survey of local nutritionists in February 2025, the centre is already drawing high expectations.
Mayor Im June Kang of Gunsan City stated, “The Saemangeum Smart Seafood Processing Complex is a pioneering project aligned with the national direction set by the new administration,” adding, “Based on this complex, we will establish Gunsan as a global K‑Seafood leading city through land‑based seaweed (gim) aquaculture, an export‑oriented seafood complex, and an advanced Smart HACCP factory integrating AI.”
Eleven Seafood Companies Begin Full‑Scale Construction with KRW 242.2 Billion in Investment
All eleven tenant companies that completed occupancy and land‑sale agreements in October 2025 are now proceeding sequentially with building permits and construction.
As full‑scale construction continues, the complex is taking shape as a cluster‑style industrial zone, with total investment expected to reach KRW 242.2 billion and about 500 new jobs anticipated.
Gunsan City plans to establish a high‑value‑added seaweed (gim) export strategy base and promote the entry of gim—core to K‑Seafood—into Japan’s premium market. The city also aims to advance as a global K‑Seafood leading city by processing various local seafood products for export worldwide.
Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Gunsan Saemangeum Seafood Export Processing Complex
Mayor Kang stated, “This project holds deep significance for us, as it has been actively pursued since the 7th popularly elected administration in order to restore Gunsan’s fisheries industry following the Saemangeum reclamation. By focusing on the Gunsan Saemangeum Seafood Complex, our city will take proactive measures to address climate change and an aging population, and we will continue to lead the global K-Seafood sector.”
