A Study on the Technology Trends of the Seaweed Industry in Korea from the Blue Economy Perspective : Focusing on Patent-Based Keyword Analysis

The international community is shifting to a blue economy for a sustainable marine economy, and the seaweed industry meets the requirements of the blue economy. This study examined technology trends of seaweed industry in Korea through patent-based keyword network and degree centrality analysis. According to the results, Korea’s seaweed-related technology has entered a growth phase. And Korea’s seaweed industry has not merely shifted from food production to the bio-industry, but has advanced to the next level by creating artificial ecosystems. From the perspective of the Blue Economy, this can be seen as a desirable example that encompasses both economic and ecological aspects, and as a characteristic element of Korea’s seaweed industry. So it needs to be widely shared internationally and it is necessary to establish support measures so that technological advancement leads to industrial development.