Seocheon opposes plan to merge marine biodiversity institute with ocean science body

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  Seocheon County opposes the government’s plan to merge the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea with the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology.

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  The county says the merger could weaken its marine biotechnology development strategy and its efforts to attract businesses and research staff.

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  It has asked South Chungcheong Province and the National Assembly to work together to keep the institute independent.

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  The government announced the merger plan on September 3, citing overlapping research functions at the two institutions.

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  Seocheon County says merging an institution established through agreement between the government and the region could damage local trust in national policy.

Who

Seocheon County opposes the merger of the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea and the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology.

What

The county is seeking support to preserve the institute’s independence.

When

The government announced its plan on September 3; Seocheon County announced its opposition on October 13, 2026.

Where

The institute is in Janghang-eup, Seocheon; the ocean science body is headquartered in Busan.

Why

The county says the merger could weaken its marine biotechnology strategy, harm local growth plans and undermine trust in national policy.

This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.