The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in South Korea is facing criticism for its lack of response to rising seaweed prices, despite the country achieving record exports to Japan at the '2024 Korea Seaweed Export Bidding and Consultation Meeting'. The Korea Fisheries Trade Association, responsible for exporting Korean seaweed to Japan, failed to announce the final results of the meeting, sparking suspicions of interference from the ministry. The ministry's inaction and surprise at the record exports have led to a loss of trust in its seaweed industry policy and its ability to stabilize supply and demand.