The South Korean government has rolled up its sleeves to unify the name of Korean gim (seaweed laver), which is called by various names in global markets, under a single label: "GIM." It has begun registering trademarks for the "K·GIM" name and logo, which put the Korean-style English spelling "GIM" front and center. Although gim has become an export standout, earning the nickname "black semiconductor," it is commonly known abroad by the Japanese term "Nori" or the catch-all "Seaweed." The move aims to correct that reality.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Wednesday it has begun the process of filing for "K·GIM" name and logo trademarks in 52 countries, including South Korea. The domestic trademark application was recently completed. The ministry plans to finalize domestic registration as early as December, through an expedited review by the Korean Intellectual Property Office starting this month. Once the domestic process is complete, it will file trademark applications in January in 51 countries that buy large volumes of gim — including the United States, Japan, China, Russia, and Thailand — through the Madrid international application system.
The rights being secured cover two types: the "K·GIM" name and the logo. The logo, designed with reference to the K·FISH certification logo, combines figures and text in two versions — a top-and-bottom layout and a horizontal layout. However, not just any gim company can use it freely. It will be operated under a system that grants use only to gim exporters that have obtained K·FISH certification, an integrated certification brand the ministry awards to exported seafood products. The government intends to develop it beyond a common promotional slogan into an export mark that effectively serves as a national certification brand for Korean gim.
The government is accelerating its rights-securing efforts because gim exports are growing rapidly. Gim export value swelled more than 60% over four years, from $690 million in 2021 to $1.13 billion in 2025. Yet in overseas markets, the mix of names such as Nori and Seaweed has constrained efforts to promote Korean gim's distinct brand identity.
Alongside securing trademark rights, work is also underway to internationally standardize gim product specifications. In November last year, the ministry received approval at the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CODEX) general assembly to begin new work converting three types — dried gim, roasted gim, and seasoned gim — into global standards. It expects to pass an interim review this month. If Korean gim specifications gain the status of an international standard, customs delays and additional costs arising from matching different specification and labeling standards across countries will decrease, and exports are expected to gain further momentum.
"We expect the global standing of Korean gim to become more firmly established through the spread of the K·GIM name and international standardization," a ministry official said.
