Previous studies have suggested that microbial fermentation is an attractive process to develop food products using seaweed. The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which are used as starters for seaweed fermentation. The isolation of LAB strains was conducted using kelp Saccharina japonica kimchi, a well-known fermented seaweed in southeastern Korea. Based on the assay of acid tolerance, bile tolerance and antioxidant activity, 15 strains of LAB were selected for further study. The LABs exhibited cholesterol lowering activity in the range of 15.50 to 94.77%. Among the LABs suitable for food production, Lactobacillus plantarum D-11 had the highest antioxidant and cholesterol lowering activities. This probiotic strain will be applied to develop various kelp fermentation products.