The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 28th that it held the 2026 K-Export Strategic Items Launch Ceremony at Startup Venture Campus Seoul (SVC), located near Hongdae in Seoul, on the 28th.
Previously, starting in 2024, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups has been carefully selecting outstanding products that represent South Korea in consumer goods sectors such as beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and food, where interest and demand are growing around the world, designating them as K-Export Strategic Items, and supporting their global expansion through collaborations with major distribution companies like Olive Young.
For example, "Life With Corporation," a beauty company that sells carbonated mask packs with Indian holy basil as a key ingredient, was selected in 2024. Through influencer marketing supported by Olive Young, online and offline special exhibitions via Shinsegae Duty Free, and support for obtaining certifications and intellectual property rights linked to the Export Voucher Project, its exports (approximately $3.11 million) in 2025 increased by approximately 690% compared to 2023 (approximately $390,000).
This year, 983 companies applied for K-Export Strategic Items, showing high interest. An evaluation panel composed of global distribution experts and overseas consumers assessed competitiveness in the global market, product excellence, and other factors, aligning with foreign standards to ultimately select 188 products.
The selected products will be exhibited at a pop-up store set up on the first floor of the event venue until October 31. As anyone can freely browse and directly experience the products, they are expected to attract significant interest not only from domestic visitors but also from foreign tourists visiting the Hongdae streets.
Going forward, companies selected as K-Export Strategic Items will receive customized programs, including entry into overseas distribution channels, online and offline special exhibitions, and local influencer marketing, leveraging the infrastructure and networks of leading domestic global distribution companies in each field, such as Olive Young and Musinsa.
Additionally, they will be provided with preferential treatment for government export support projects, such as export vouchers, obtaining overseas certifications, and participating in overseas exhibitions and consultation meetings, along with benefits that allow them to participate first in overseas Hallyu-linked events hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.
Furthermore, taking this event as an opportunity, a consortium of companies selected as K-Export Strategic Items, including those selected this year, will be launched to continue various networking activities such as sharing know-how on overseas expansion and best practices.
Lee So-young, Minister of SMEs and Startups, stated, "SME exports are continuously setting new all-time highs, with K-consumer goods, led by K-beauty, at the center." She added, "We will respond with policies to ensure that the products selected this time grow into national representative K-brand items leading South Korea's exports in the global market, and further contribute to the vitality of the entire SME ecosystem."
in ECONOMY
