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Biotechnology R&D InfrastructureKorea BiosafetyClearing HouseRESEARCHERSHomin Jang hmjang@kribb.re.krBiosafety information management, especially inaccordance with the Biosafety Protocol and the "Act ontransboundary movements, etc. of LMO"Gicheol Kim kgccc@kribb.re.krLMO Regulations and Biosafety information managementByongchul Shin bcshin@kribb.re.krCBD and Access to genetic resources and Benefit-Sharing(ABS) information managementWonhee Kim whkim@kribb.re.krLMO & Biosafety information managementMihee Jeon mhjeon@kribb.re.krPublic awareness and participation on LMO & BiosafetyJeongsuk Cho chojs@kribb.re.krCollecting and survey information related on LMOGookche Jeon bobos302@kribb.re.krCollecting and survey information related on BioindustryRESEARCH AREASThe Biosafety Protocol & LMO Act ImplementationAbiding by Information DutiesImplementing Administrative Issues (Making out CountryReports, Analyzing major issues in COP-MOP, OperatingExpert Forum about major issues, etc.)Support Developing Country’s Capacity-BuildingImplementation of the LMO Act (Operation of BiosafetyCommittee, support operation of LMO Act's Scheme andits Improvement, etc.)Improvement of Public Awareness & CommunicationOperation of Biosafety Korean and English Portals andfamily sitesPublications of The Biosafety Whitepaper, The BiosafetyJournal, etc.Host of communication activities (LMO forums,international seminars, biosafety essays, debatecompetitions, etc.)Survey & ResearchSurvey on public perceptionEstablishment of database of LMO and BIO relatedstatisticsLMO and bioindustry trend analysisAnalysis of the industrial impact of the ABS ProtocolDirector Ho-Min JangT + 82-42-879-8300F + 82-42-879-8309E hmjang@kribb.re.krACHIEVEMENTSCompliance with the LMO Law and the Biosafety ProtocolThe KBCH began carrying out its official role as a legal organization in January 2008,although it had actually worked on related issues for the preceding six years. The KBCH'sprimary mission is to undertake those duties mandated by the LMO Law and the BiosafetyProtocol regarding the information on the transfer, handling and use of LMOs. Its missionlargely consists of the collection and distribution of accurate information on LMOs, thepromotion of public awareness of LMOs and participation in related matters. Over the pastthree years, the KBCH has handled approximately 10,700 national LMO cases includingimport approvals for LMOs-FFP (food and feed, and for processing), facilities reports, etc.The KBCH has discharged its obligation to disclose all of the collected information to thepublic by various means, such as the internet, media and in printed form.Improvement of Public Awareness and ParticipationTo promoting awareness and participation, especially with the public, the KBCH does itsutmost to be an indispensable element for assuring biosafety, as stipulated in theProtocol. Above all, the KBCH conveys to the public both the positive and negative aspectsof LMOs, so public discussion concerning LMOs are conducted based on facts. To this end,it operates the national "Biosafety Potal", participated in discussions on high-profileprivate internet sites such as "Agora” on DAUM and "Knowledge IN” on NAVER, etc.; anddistributed printed materials published by the KBCH, such as the quarterly "BIOSAFETY",the "White Paper on Biosafety", and various booklets and pamphlets. Its other activitiesinclude the hosting of seminars (LMO forum, etc.), which anyone can attend and sharetheir opinions, and the "Biosafety Essay Competition" and "Biosafety Debate Competition"for middle and high school students which attracted many applicants this year.OTHER ACTIVITIESThe KBCH offers its services to the Ministries responsible for LMOs issues.The KBCH holds meeting on a regular basis with government officials. The KBCH alsocooperates with international LMO organizations. The KBCH has staged events, such asthe UNEP-KBCH co-sponsored seminar in Daejeon in 2008, and is scheduled to co-hostthe 2nd UNEP-KBCH seminar in 2011, which is held to assist developing countries buildcapacity of LMO information. In recent years, the KBCH has held regular informationsharing meeting with Japan and is now exploring the possibility of similar cooperation withChina and India. The KBCH participated in ABS Protocol negotiations as a member of theKorean delegation in 2010. After adoption of the ABS Protocol (Nagoya Protocol), theKBCH is currently preparing an ABS information portal and HelpDesk to supportbioindustry.Korea Biosafety Clearing House (KBCH) specializes in public awareness & communication, survey and research,international cooperation and in abiding by legal requirements concerning LMO which is needed for theimplementation of the "Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety" and the "Act on Transboundary Movements, etc. of LMO"Biosafety Protocol Article 20 (Information Sharing and the BCH)A Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) is hereby established as part of the clearing house mechanism under Article 18,Paragraph 3 of the ConventionLMO Act. Article 32 (Korea Biosafety Clearing House)The head of the Competent National Authority (CNA) may designate the Korea Biosafety Clearing House which professionallycarries out matters concerning the management and exchange of the information on Living Modified Organisms (LMO).100 KRIBB Annual Report 2010KRIBB Annual Report 2010 101