Innovative Products to Lead SME Exports Gather in One Place

Ministry of SMEs and Startups Holds Launch Ceremony for 2026 K-Export Strategic Products

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said on October 28 that it held the launch ceremony for the 2026 K-Export Strategic Items at Startup Venture Campus Seoul (SVC Seoul), near Hongdae in Seoul.

Since 2024, the ministry has selected outstanding products representing Korea in consumer goods sectors such as beauty, fashion, lifestyle and food, which have been drawing growing interest and demand around the world, and designated them as K-Export Strategic Items. It has been helping these products enter global markets through partnerships with major retailers such as Olive Young.

A total of 983 companies applied for this year's K-Export Strategic Items, demonstrating strong interest. A panel of overseas consumers was formed together with global retail experts to assess factors including the products' competitiveness in global markets and their quality. After evaluating the products from the perspective of international consumers, 188 products were selected.

Park Yongsoon, Director of the SME Policy Office at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, poses for a commemorative photo at the launch ceremony for the 2026 K-Export Strategic Products, held at Startup Venture Campus Seoul in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 28th. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

The selected products will be displayed at a pop-up store on the first floor of the venue through October 31. Visitors can freely browse and try the products. In addition, companies selected as K-Export Strategic Items will receive customized support, including entry into overseas retail channels and participation in online and offline promotional events, as well as marketing by local influencers, by leveraging the infrastructure and networks of leading Korean retailers with a global presence in their respective sectors, such as Olive Young and MUSINSA. They will also receive preferential access to government export support programs, including export vouchers, assistance in obtaining overseas certifications, and participation in overseas trade shows and business consultations. They will also be given priority to participate in overseas events linked to the Korean Wave hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

The event also marks the launch of a consultative body for companies selected as K-Export Strategic Items, including those selected this year. The companies will continue networking activities, such as sharing know-how on entering overseas markets and successful case studies.

Park Yongsoon, head of the SME Policy Office at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, "Exports by small and medium-sized enterprises continue to hit record highs, with K-consumer goods, led by K-beauty, at the heart of this growth. We will continue to listen closely to the voices of businesses and respond with policies so that the products selected this time grow into national representative K-brand products leading Korea's exports in global markets and, in turn, help invigorate the broader small and medium-sized enterprise ecosystem."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.