The government is assisting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in expanding internationally through collaborations with major retailers like Olive Young and Musinsa.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups held the launch ceremony for the 2026 K-export strategy items on October 28 at the Startup Venture Campus in Mapo, Seoul.
Starting in 2024, the ministry will select outstanding products that represent South Korea in consumer goods sectors such as beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and food, which are seeing increasing global interest and demand. These products will be designated as K-export strategy items, with support for global expansion through partnerships with major retailers.
The number of companies applying for K-export strategy items has grown from 323 in the first year to 673 in 2025, and this year it reached 983. A panel of global retail experts and overseas consumers evaluated the competitiveness and quality of the products, ultimately selecting 188 items.
Companies designated as K-export strategy items will receive tailored support, including access to the infrastructure and networks of leading domestic retailers like Olive Young and Musinsa, opportunities for online and offline promotional events, and local influencer marketing.
This year, Olive Young will focus on the U.S. market, while Musinsa and Lotte Mart will target Japan, Shinsegae Department Store will focus on Malaysia, and Gmarket will concentrate on Hong Kong. Olive Young plans to market through global malls, while Musinsa will promote on Japan's leading fashion platform, ZOZOTOWN.
Additionally, companies will benefit from government export support programs, including export vouchers, assistance with obtaining overseas certifications, and priority participation in international exhibitions and events related to the Korean Wave.
The event also marked the launch of a cooperative body among companies selected as K-export strategy items, including those chosen this year, to share overseas expansion know-how and best practices through various networking activities.
Park Yong-soon, head of the SME Policy Office at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "Consumer goods account for 15-18% of SME exports. The export growth rate for the four sectors of beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and food has been about 10% over the past five years."
He emphasized, "We will ensure that the products selected this time grow into representative K-brands leading our country's exports in the global market and contribute to revitalizing the overall SME ecosystem by always listening to the voices from the field and responding with policies."
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups held the launch ceremony for the 2026 K-export strategy items on October 28 at the Startup Venture Campus in Mapo, Seoul.
Starting in 2024, the ministry will select outstanding products that represent South Korea in consumer goods sectors such as beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and food, which are seeing increasing global interest and demand. These products will be designated as K-export strategy items, with support for global expansion through partnerships with major retailers.
The number of companies applying for K-export strategy items has grown from 323 in the first year to 673 in 2025, and this year it reached 983. A panel of global retail experts and overseas consumers evaluated the competitiveness and quality of the products, ultimately selecting 188 items.
Companies designated as K-export strategy items will receive tailored support, including access to the infrastructure and networks of leading domestic retailers like Olive Young and Musinsa, opportunities for online and offline promotional events, and local influencer marketing.
This year, Olive Young will focus on the U.S. market, while Musinsa and Lotte Mart will target Japan, Shinsegae Department Store will focus on Malaysia, and Gmarket will concentrate on Hong Kong. Olive Young plans to market through global malls, while Musinsa will promote on Japan's leading fashion platform, ZOZOTOWN.
Additionally, companies will benefit from government export support programs, including export vouchers, assistance with obtaining overseas certifications, and priority participation in international exhibitions and events related to the Korean Wave.
The event also marked the launch of a cooperative body among companies selected as K-export strategy items, including those chosen this year, to share overseas expansion know-how and best practices through various networking activities.
Park Yong-soon, head of the SME Policy Office at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "Consumer goods account for 15-18% of SME exports. The export growth rate for the four sectors of beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and food has been about 10% over the past five years."
He emphasized, "We will ensure that the products selected this time grow into representative K-brands leading our country's exports in the global market and contribute to revitalizing the overall SME ecosystem by always listening to the voices from the field and responding with policies."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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