Q What made you form SEA.D?

SEA.D is a brand that manufactures and distributes seaweed from Gijang-gun, Busan. Sea mustard and kelp are our flagship products. Gijang-gun is a region where the East Sea and the South Sea meet. It has the favorite conditions to produce high-quality sea mustard, i.e., the strong current and low water temperature. The place was selected as a “special sea mustard and kelp production zone” for these characteristics. However, I felt sorry for the inferior packaging materials, product composition, and distribution of these products in the region. Following my father, who has been fishing for about 50 years in Gijang-gun, I want to deliver high-quality seafood to customers.

Q Why did you develop Quick Gijang Sea Mustard Soup?

In Korea, sea mustard is cooked as a soup or side dish. Although it is a nutritious food ingredient, it has the disadvantage that its cooking methods are limited, and it has a peculiar smell of seaweed. We developed the soup, aiming that more people effortlessly and conveniently enjoy sea mustard. With our product, foreigners unfamiliar with sea mustard and Koreans not keen on sea mustard will enjoy sea mustard’s authentic taste.

Q What was the most significant change you made through the award screening?

I decided to adjust the formulation so that vegans and halal-product consumers can consume our product with confidence. Although international travel is restricted due to COVID-19, we want to enter the global market through e-commerce.

Q What is SEA.D’s ultimate pursuit?

Seaweed is rich in iodine. Iodine is an essential element and plays a vital role in human metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, and growth. In particular, it has a significant influence on children’s physical growth and brain development. Accordingly, SEA.D proposes an official development assistance (ODA) project to relevant ministries and the Busan metropolitan government, targeting inland regions such as Central Africa and Central Asia. The ODA project will be an excellent opportunity to promote Korea’s excellent seafood to greater value consumption.

Q Please tell us more about your plans.

Our long-term goal for producers, partners, and consumers is to create a sustainable and healthy lifestyle while preserving the marine ecosystem. Seaweed is a natural resource that benefits the world as functional foods, pharmaceuticals, bio-energy, and new materials. I want to establish SEA.D as a company that delivers benefits to the world as algae, the “sea forest.”