JW Marriott Hotel Seoul Leads Luxury Hospitality in South Korea with Dual Seafood Certifications
March 5, 2026 | 3 min to read
Seoul, South Korea — JW Marriott Hotel Seoul becomes the first Marriott hotel in Korea to receive dual certification from the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), reinforcing its leadership in responsible seafood sourcing within the luxury hospitality sector.
As part of this initiative, the hotel will introduce the ASC and MSC ecolabels across its main restaurant menus, empowering seafood-loving guests to make informed dining choices that support ocean health and responsible aquaculture. The move addresses growing concerns around overfishing and aquaculture impacts, while contributing to a sustainable food culture for future generations.
Martin Lee, General Manager, ASC Korea, said, “JW Marriott Hotel Seoul’s ASC certification represents a meaningful step forward for responsible aquaculture in Korea’s hospitality sector. By choosing ASC-certified farmed seafood, the hotel is supporting responsible seafood production, while offering guests seafood they can trust. This leadership shows how luxury dining can drive positive change for our oceans and food systems.”
Mark Seo, Program Director of MSC Korea, said, “We congratulate Marriott on hosting the Sustainable Seafood Procurement Strategy Seminar and on JW Marriott Hotel Seoul’s ASC and MSC Chain of Custody certification. We hope this milestone will help advance responsible seafood sourcing as a standard across the hospitality industry.”
Ethical responsibility in the hospitality industry
ASC certification in particular highlights the hotel’s commitment to responsible aquaculture practices. By sourcing ASC-certified farmed seafood, JW Marriott Hotel Seoul supports producers that meet rigorous environmental and social standards across feed sourcing, water quality management, biodiversity protection, and worker welfare—helping reduce environmental impact while strengthening long-term food security and resilient marine ecosystems.
The dual certification aligns with Marriott International’s global Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) platform, Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction, which emphasises responsible supply chains, environmental stewardship, and community well-being. Both certifications were independently audited and verified by Assurance Services International (ASI), ensuring their credibility and global recognition.
Douglas Ariza Germaria, General Manager of JW Marriott Hotel Seoul, commented, “True luxury is built on trust and ethical responsibility. By using ingredients that meet internationally recognised standards, we provide guests with a worry-free culinary experience while actively contributing to the protection of marine ecosystems. Guided by JW’s values of care for our guests, communities, and the planet, we will continue to expand initiatives such as sustainable gastronomy programmes.”
The certification ceremony was attended by senior hotel executives alongside representatives from the MSC and ASC Korea offices, underscoring a shared commitment to strengthening responsible seafood supply chains and promoting sustainable consumption in Korea’s hospitality industry.
About the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)
The ASC label on pack showcases ASC-certified farms and feed mills — impact-focused and transparent operations delivering measurable and verifiable change. They meet science-based, rigorous requirements that foster accountability and trust across the seafood value chain, from feed ingredients to farm to fork.
ASC is an independent non-profit organisation setting the global standard for responsible farmed seafood. Our comprehensive environmental and social requirements drive continuous improvement in aquaculture practices.
ASC is advancing the leading certification programme for responsible farmed seafood, partnering to increase demand for ASC-labelled products, and championing innovation through industry collaboration.
Find out more: www.asc-aqua.org