Dutch-Korean agrifood ties strengthened at Saemangeum seminar
The Saemangeum International Cooperation Seminar, held in Seoul , brought together over 150 participants to explore opportunities for bilateral collaboration on sustainable agrifood development, smart regional planning, and circular innovation. The seminar was co-organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency (SDIA).
Longstanding partnership and a platform to share results
The Embassy and SDIA have enjoyed a long-standing and productive relationship, centered around ambitions for sustainable development in the Saemangeum region—one of Korea’s most strategic land reclamation projects. Over the past years, the Dutch government has supported several studies on Saemangeum, focusing on spatial planning, agrologistics, horticulture, and integrated food systems. The seminar served as an important platform to present the outcomes of this work, reinforcing the value of international knowledge exchange and demonstrating how Dutch expertise aligns with Korea’s development goals for the area.
A Korean-Dutch perspective on Saemangeum
The seminar opened with remarks from key dignitaries, including Mr. Kyung-Ahn Kim, Administrator of SDIA, and Ms. Onny Jalink, Deputy Head of the Netherlands Embassy. Both emphasized the deepening partnership between the two countries, rooted in innovation, sustainability, and a shared vision for the future of agrifood systems. Dutch contributions featured prominently, with Mr. Rick Nobel, Agricultural Counsellor, presenting insights from the Korea Agrologistics Sector Study, conducted by Wageningen University & Research in 2024. Ms. Thaísa Pessanha of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) introduced integrated planning strategies for the Saemangeum Masterplan, drawing on findings from the RVO Idea Accelerator initiative. In the lead-up to the seminar, her preparatory visit included an interactive workshop with SDIA staff, fostering practical dialogue and laying the foundation for long-term collaboration.
In addition to Dutch contributions, the program included presentations from Dr. Jin (Kim) Wenqing of Greengrounds on food ecosystem modeling, as well as business cases from Royal Canin Korea and Pulmuone. A comparative perspective from Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley added further global context. Together, the sessions demonstrated how Dutch innovation in spatial planning, circular agriculture, and logistics can support Saemangeum’s development into a global agrifood hub.
A shared path forward
The seminar reaffirmed the strategic value of Dutch-Korean cooperation in creating resilient, sustainable food systems. Dutch experts successfully demonstrated how an integrated, cross-sectoral approach can contribute lasting value to Saemangeum’s transformation. Just as importantly, the event helped increase awareness among Korean policymakers and stakeholders of the Netherlands’ capacity to contribute meaningfully to long-term development in the region.
As Saemangeum continues to emerge as a potential hub for agrifood innovation in Asia , the Netherlands is well positioned as a trusted partner. Dutch companies and institutions interested in knowledge exchange or exploring business opportunities related to Saemangeum are warmly encouraged to contact the Dutch embassy in Seoul for further information.
Saemangeum international cooperation seminar
