Seoul: The oceans ministry was set to meet with officials from South Korea's seafood companies Wednesday to discuss measures to further boost the local industry's export competitiveness amid global trade uncertainties sparked by U.S. tariffs, ministry officials said. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will meet with Korean seafood exporters to discuss the impact of Washington's tariff and non-tariff measures on the local industry and devise a response strategy, according to the officials.

According to Yonhap News Agency, despite Washington's tariffs, Seoul's seafood exports to the United States have been steadily increasing. Shipments of seasoned dried seaweed, in particular, grew 19.6 percent from a year earlier in May in terms of value. Exports of oysters and tuna to the U.S. also jumped 77.5 percent and 20.4 percent on-year, respectively, last month, according to the ministry.

The country's exports of dried seaweed, called "gim" in Korean, hit a new annual high of US$997 million in 2024.