History
The Korean Biodiversity Information Facility (KBIF) was established early in 2002. Functionally, however, the KBIF secretariat was launched in 2006 at the National Science Museum by regulations of the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning of the Korean government. The Korean national node, KBIF, actively participates and communicates through GBIF global network, publishing data contributed by member institutions from the National Biodiversity Consortium (NBC). NBC is comprised of 46 biodiversity research organizations including natural history museums, arboretums and universities. Membership in NBC (by Memorandum of Understanding) has increased from 16 members in 2007 to 46 members in 2014, resulting in increased biodiversity research and data sharing through KBIF.
Mission
KBIF’s vision is to be the multi-lateral support organization for national biodiversity research in Creative Economy Korea.
KBIF’s missions are (1) establishing a National Data Network for biodiversity research & information flow; (2) training, and disseminating key technology to assist data publishers for sharing data; (3) acting roles in GBIF governance structures, including the NODES Committee; (4) operating the KBIF Data Portal, communication portal and, outreach and capacity building, liaison and promoting 'Becoming a GBIF Data Publisher’; (5) developing tools, Data Portal and Data Repository, KBIF Schema, metadata; and (6) operating GBIF data portal mirroring global service.
Structure
The Korean Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), within its KBIF facility, is undertaking the whole range of national ICT support services for KBIF and GBIF including ICT training, information dissemination, data portal development and running the KBIF national data repository (KDR), IPT, GBIF Asian Mirror site.
Funding
The KBIF node is operated by a yearly-based project, supported by National Science Museum in the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP).
As a Voting Participant, the basic financial contribution to GBIF is made by the Multilateral Cooperation Division, International Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning.
