Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Act is to prescribe matters necessary for promoting and vitalizing the green-bio industry, thereby facilitating the application of biotechnology in agricultural bio resources to add more value to agriculture and contributing to the development of the green-bio industry and realization of sustainable agriculture, ultimately contributing to the improvement of the quality of citizens' lives and to the development of the national economy.
Article 2(Definitions) #
The terms used in this Act are defined as follows:
1. The term "green-bio" means the application of biotechnology defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Biotechnology Support Act to agricultural bio-resources, etc. defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Act on the Conservation, Management, and Use of Agricultural Bio-Resources;
2. The term "green-bio industry" means an industry of adding value to agricultural or agriculture-related downstream and upstream industries by utilizing green-bio, which develops, produces, sells or distributes goods or services related to the following:
a. Seeds defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Seed Industry Act;
b. Microorganisms as agricultural bio-resources under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Act on the Conservation, Management, and Use of Agricultural Bio-Resources;
c. Insects defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Insect Industry Promotion and Support Act;
d. Natural substances defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Promotion of the Research and Development of Wonder Drugs by Using Natural Substances Act;
e. Raw materials or intermediate products used for the manufacture of foods defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Food Industry Promotion Act, which are processed in a separate form such as powder, liquid, etc.;
f. Others prescribed by Presidential Decree;
3. The term "green-bio enterprise" means an enterprise engaged in the green-bio industry, which files a report under Article 7;
4. The term "green-bio products" means goods or services produced by utilizing green-bio;
5. The term "green-bio materials" means raw materials or intermediate products used for the manufacture of green-bio products.
Article 3(Responsibilities of the State and local governments) #
The State and local governments shall formulate and implement policies necessary for the promotion and continuous development of the green-bio industry.
Article 4(Relationship to other statutes) #
Except as provided in other statutes, this Act shall apply to the promotion of the green-bio industry.
Article 5(Formulation of master plan) #
(1) The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs shall formulate and implement a master plan for the promotion of the green-bio industry (hereinafter referred to as "master plan") every 5 years to promote the green-bio industry.
(2) A master plan shall include the following:
1. Basic direction and goal setting for policies designed to promote the green-bio industry;
2. Matters concerning the facilitation of the development and use of green-bio products;
3. Matters concerning strengthening the linkage between the green-bio industry and agriculture;
4. Matters concerning the development and dissemination of technology related to the green-bio industry;
5. Matters concerning the vitalization of green-bio venture businesses and startups;
6. Matters concerning the facilitation of the utilization of green-bio industrial data;
7. Matters concerning the training of experts related to the green-bio industry;
8. Other matters deemed necessary by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for promoting the green-bio industry.
(3) Before formulating or modifying a master plan, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs shall have a consultation with the heads of relevant central administrative agencies; provided, this shall not apply to the modification of minor matters prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(4) The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs shall formulate and implement an action plan (hereinafter referred to as "action plan") every year after hearing opinions of the heads of relevant central administrative agencies to promote the master plan.
(5) Once the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has formulated a master plan and an action plan, he or she shall notify the heads of relevant central administrative agencies thereof, and publicly announce such plan as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
(6) If necessary for formulating a master plan and an action plan, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may request the heads of relevant central administrative agencies, the heads of local governments, and the heads of relevant institutions or organizations (hereinafter referred to as "heads of relevant central administrative agencies, etc.") to submit necessary data. In such cases, the heads of relevant central administrative agencies, etc. shall provide such data, unless there is a compelling reason not to do so.
(7) Except as provided in paragraphs (1) through (6), matters necessary for formulating, modifying, and implementing a master plan and an action plan shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 6(Conduct of fact-finding surveys and preparation of statistics) #
(1) The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may conduct a fact-finding survey on the current status, etc. of the green-bio industry in order to efficiently formulate and implement a master plan and policies necessary for promoting the green-bio industry.
(2) The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may prepare and manage statistics on the green-bio industry in consideration of the findings of the fact-finding survey under paragraph (1) and, if necessary, may have a consultation with the Minister of Data and Statistics. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(3) If necessary for preparing statistics under paragraph (2), the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may request the heads of relevant central administrative agencies, etc. to submit necessary data. In such cases, the heads of relevant central administrative agencies, etc. shall provide such data as requested, unless there is a compelling reason not to do so.
(4) The frequency of conducting fact-finding surveys under paragraph (1), the scope and methods thereof, and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 7(Reporting by green-bio enterprises) #
(1) A person who engages in the green-bio industry and intends to receive support, etc. under this Act shall meet the requirements prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as provision of management information, etc. and report to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs as a green-bio enterprise.
(2) Where there is any change to an important matter prescribed by Presidential Decree among the reported matters, a green-bio enterprise that has filed a report pursuant to paragraph (1) shall report such change to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
(3) The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs shall notify a person who has filed a report under paragraph (1) or a report on modification under paragraph (2) of whether the report is accepted within 30 days from the receipt thereof.
(4) Where the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs fails to notify the reporting person of whether to accept the report or of an extension of the processing period under statutes or regulations relating to processing civil petitions within the period prescribed in paragraph (3), the report shall be deemed accepted on the day immediately following the lapse of that period (referring to the relevant processing period if the processing period has been extended or re-extended under statutes or regulations relating to processing civil petitions).
(5) A report filed under paragraph (1) shall remain valid for 3 years from the date the report is accepted, and shall be renewed if the enterprise intends to continue to receive support, etc. under this Act.
(6) Matters necessary for the requirements, procedures, etc. for filing a report or a report on modification under paragraphs (1) through (5) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 8(Designation of dedicated institution) #
(1) The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may designate an institution dedicated to the promotion of the green-bio industry (hereinafter referred to as "dedicated institution") to systematically implement policies related to the promotion of the green-bio industry.
(2) The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may provide a dedicated institution with subsidies, within the budget, to cover all or part of the expenses incurred in the performance of the business affairs under paragraph (1).
(3) The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may revoke the designation of a dedicated institution or suspend all or part of its business for a period of up to 6 months if it falls under any of the following; provided, if it falls under subparagraph 1, such designation shall be revoked:
1. Where it has been designated by fraud or other improper means;
2. Where it no longer meets the standards for designation under paragraph (5);
3. Where it fails to perform its business affairs for at least 1 year without good cause;
4. Where it files a false report under Article 20(1) or refuses, evades, or obstructs a report or inspection.
(4) The designation of a dedicated institution shall remain valid for 3 years from the date of designation, and it shall be re-designated before the lapse of the period to continue to perform its business affairs as a dedicated institution after the period.
(5) Matters necessary for the standards, procedures, etc. for designation under paragraph (1), revocation of designation and suspension of business under paragraph (3), and re-designation under paragraph (4) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 9(Consultation with relevant agencies) #
The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may determine the following matters regarding the promotion of the green-bio industry in consultation with the heads of relevant central administrative agencies, the heads of local governments, and public institutions, etc. under Article 4 of the Act on the Management of Public Institutions, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs:
1. Matters concerning the establishment and coordination of major policies for promoting the green-bio industry;
2. Other matters deemed necessary by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for promoting the green-bio industry.
Article 10(Training of experts) #
(1) The State or local governments shall endeavor to train experts in the green-bio sector to promote the green-bio industry.
(2) In order to train experts pursuant to paragraph (1), the State and local governments may designate an industrial educational institution under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Industrial Education Enhancement and Industry-Academia-Research Cooperation Promotion Act, or a research institute, institution, or organization established for the purpose of research on the green-bio industry as an expert training institution and may require such institution to provide necessary education and training.
(3) The State and local governments may grant a subsidy to an expert training institution designated pursuant to paragraph (2) to help cover all or part of the expenses incurred in education and training, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(4) The State and local governments may revoke the designation of an expert training institution or suspend all or part of its business for a period of up to 6 months if it falls under any of the following; provided, if it falls under subparagraph 1, such designation shall be revoked:
1. Where it has been designated by fraud or other improper means;
2. Where it no longer meets the standards for designation under paragraph (6);
3. Where it fails to conduct education and training for at least 1 year without good cause;
4. Where it files a false report under Article 20(1) or refuses, evades, or obstructs a report or inspection.
(5) The designation of an expert training institution shall remain valid for 3 years from the date of designation, and it shall be re-designated before the lapse of the period to continue to perform its business affairs as an expert training institution after the period.
(6) Matters necessary for the standards, procedures, etc. for designation under paragraph (2), revocation of designation and suspension of business under paragraph (4), and re-designation under paragraph (5) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 11(Facilitation of technology development) #
(1) The State and local governments shall endeavor to facilitate the development of technology related to the green-bio industry.
(2) In order to promptly develop and disseminate technologies, etc. related to the green-bio industry, the State and local governments may require relevant research institutes, organizations, etc. to conduct research and development of such technologies.
(3) The State and local governments may provide necessary funds to relevant research institutes, organizations, etc. conducting research and development for technologies related to the green-bio industry pursuant to paragraph (2).
Article 12(Support for venture businesses and startups) #
The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs or the heads of local governments may provide the following support to a person intending to start a business related to the green-bio industry (referring to a business start-up defined in subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Support for Small and Medium Enterprise Establishment Act) and a venture business related to the green-bio industry (referring to a venture business defined in Article 2(1) of the Act on Special Measures for the Promotion of Venture Businesses):
1. Provision of start-up funds and loans;
2. Leasing or provision of space, including facilities for the startup of a business, etc.;
3. Demonstration of green-bio products and production of prototypes;
4. Provision of support in securing sales channels for green-bio products and public relations;
5. Provision of advice on law, tax, accounting, etc. necessary for the startup of a business and support in management and consulting;
6. Other matters deemed necessary by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Article 13(Support for utilization of data) #
The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may conduct the following projects to facilitate the generation and utilization of data related to the green-bio industry, such as genetic information on agricultural bio-resources defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Act on the Conservation, Management, and Use of Agricultural Bio-resources:
1. Standardization of data related to the green-bio industry;
2. Generation, collection, preservation, and transmission of data related to the green-bio industry;
3. Sharing, joint utilization, and trading of data related to the green-bio industry;
4. Establishment of a foundation for joint utilization of a data platform related to the green-bio industry;
5. Other matters necessary to support the digital transformation of the green-bio industry.
Article 14(Preferential purchase) #
(1) The State and local governments shall endeavor to preferentially purchase green-bio products to promote the green-bio industry.
(2) In order to facilitate the purchase of green-bio products, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs or the heads of local governments may request the head of any of the following institutions or organizations to take necessary measures, such as preferential purchase of green-bio products:
1. Public institutions defined in subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Act on Facilitation of Purchase of Small and Medium Enterprise-Manufactured Products and Support for Development of Their Markets;
2. Producers' organizations under subparagraph 4 of Article 3 of the Framework Act on Agriculture, Rural Community and Food Industry.
(3) The scope of green-bio products eligible for subject to preferential purchase under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
(4) The scope of green-bio products eligible for preferential purchase under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Article 15(Designation of green-bio industry promotion district) #
(1) The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may designate a district for the promotion of the green-bio industry (hereinafter referred to as "promotion district") upon application by the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Do Governor, or a Special Self-Governing Province Governor (hereinafter referred to as "Mayor/Do Governor") in order to integrate the green-bio industry and spread it on a regional basis.
(2) When designating a promotion district pursuant to paragraph (1), the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs shall have a prior consultation with the heads of relevant central administrative agencies.
(3) When applying for the designation of a promotion district pursuant to paragraph (1), a Mayor/Do Governor shall submit to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs a plan for the creation of a promotion district, including the following matters:
1. Purposes of the creation of a promotion district;
2. Location, size, and other geographical information of the promotion district;
3. Detailed measures to create the promotion district and financing plans;
4. Measures for the clustering of universities, enterprises, research institutes, etc.;
5. Measures for the expansion of equipment and facilities necessary for research, development and production;
6. Other matters deemed necessary by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for the creation of the promotion district.
(4) When formulating a promotion district development plan under paragraph (3), a Mayor/Do Governor (excluding a Special Self-Governing City Mayor and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Governor) shall have a prior consultation with the head of a Si/Gun/Gu (referring to the head of an autonomous Gu; hereinafter the same shall apply) having jurisdiction over the relevant promotion district.
(5) When designating a promotion district pursuant to paragraph (1), the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs shall comprehensively consider the feasibility, implementability, etc. of the promotion district development plan under paragraph (3).
(6) Once a promotion district has been designated under paragraph (1), the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs shall publicly notify its name, location, area, etc. in the Official Gazette and notify the relevant Mayor/Do Governor thereof.
(7) The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may provide support necessary for the creation of a promotion district designated under paragraph (1).
(8) The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may revoke the designation of a promotion district in any of the following cases; provided, in cases falling under subparagraph 1, the designation shall be canceled:
1. Where it has been designated by fraud or other improper means;
2. Where there is no possibility that the promotion district development plan will be realized;
3. Where it is impossible to achieve the purposes of designation for such reasons as project delays and poor management.
(9) Procedures and methods for the cancellation of designation under paragraph (1), and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 16(Support for promotion district) #
(1) The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the heads of local governments may grant a subsidy to a person conducting research and development related to the green-bio industry in a promotion district to help cover all or part of the associated expenses.
(2) The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the heads of local governments may provide the following support to invigorate a promotion district:
1. Installation of high-tech facilities to support research, development, production, etc. of green-bio products and green-bio materials;
2. Installation of facilities for supplying green-bio products, green-bio materials, etc.;
3. Support for contract production or cultivation of green-bio products, green-bio materials, etc.;
4. Other matters deemed necessary by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for the fostering and growth of a promotion district.
(3) The State or local governments may preferentially provide funds or other necessary support to green-bio enterprises located in, or relocating to, a promotion district.
Article 17(Special cases concerning the Public Property and Commodity Management Act) #
Notwithstanding Articles 20(2) and 29(1) of the Public Property and Commodity Management Act, the head of a local government may grant permission for the use of facilities and sites in a promotion district that the local government owns or lease them to a green-bio enterprise by means of a private contract.
Article 18(Hearings) #
Where the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs or the head of a local government intends to issue one of the following dispositions, he or she shall hold a hearing:
1. Revocation of designation of a dedicated institution or suspension of its business under Article 8(3);
2. Revocation of designation of an expert training institution or suspension of its business operations under Article 10(4);
3. Cancellation of designation of a promotion district under Article 15(8).
Article 19(Delegation and entrustment of authority) #
(1) The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may delegate part of his or her authority under this Act to the Administrator of the Rural Development Administration, the Minister of the Korea Forest Service, or a Mayor/Do Governor, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(2) Part of the duties of the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs under this Act may be entrusted to public institutions under the Act on the Management of Public Institutions, producers' organizations under the Framework Act on Agriculture, Rural Community and Food Industry, and other corporations or organizations related to the green-bio industry, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 20(Reporting and inspection) #
(1) Any of the following persons may take necessary measures, such as issuing an order for reporting on business operations or submission of relevant data or ordering public officials under his or her control to pay a visit or inspect documents, if deemed necessary to supervise the institutions as classified below:
1. The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs: A dedicated institution;
2. The head of a central administrative agency or the head of a local government responsible for designation of an expert training institution: The expert training institution.
(2) Public officials who visit and inspect documents, etc. under paragraph (1) shall carry a certificate indicating their authority and show it to interested persons.
Article 21(Legal fiction as public officials in application of penalty provisions) #
Any of the following persons shall be deemed a public official in the application of penalty provisions under Articles 129 through 132 of the Criminal Act:
1. Executive officers and employees of a dedicated institution;
2. Executive officers and employees of an expert training institution;
3. Executive officers and employees of an institution, organization, or corporation engaged in the business affairs entrusted under Article 19(2).
Article 22(Administrative fines) #
(1) A person who files a report under Article 7(1) or a report on modification under paragraph (2) of that Article by fraud or other improper means shall be subject to an administrative fine not exceeding 1 million won.
(2) Administrative fines under paragraph (1) shall be imposed and collected by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.