A Study of Korea Garden Industry’s Profile and Development Direction

In 2013, the Suncheon Bay Garden Expo was successfully accomplished in Korea. This has increased Koreans’ interest in garden and its industry. Although Korea central and local governments make efforts to support the garden industry, there isn’t a sufficient data or statistics for the garden industry and its economic impacts. It is necessary to make a practical and meaningful definition and range of garden industry in Korea. This study is designed to overcome these problems by defining a garden and the garden industry, estimating garden industry’s statistics, and pointing a favorable direction of the industry. According to Huh et al. (2015b), the garden industry is defined with garden material production, garden service and distribution, and garden tourism. Estimating based on this definition and range, Korea’s garden industry generates 1.2 billion dollars in production, 1.5 billion dollars in distribution, and 80 million dollars in tourism (consumption). In total, about 2.7 billion dollars are generated in the garden industry in Korea. I suggest three strategies for a favorable development in Korea garden industry. First, in garden material production, private gardens need management improvement, while public gardens and Korean traditional gardens need government sustainable supports and R&D. Second, in garden distribution, a specific role should be assigned in Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Cooperation aT Center to connect the garden industry and distribution sectors. Third, a government-leading new industrial strategy should be made to promote consumption and tourism in the garden industry in Korea.