The Rise of K-Beauty: Gyeongbuk's New Export Hub

Original source: blog.naver.com

Comments 0 Views 14 Date 2026-09-16 05:30

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The K-Beauty craze is capturing the hearts of consumers worldwide.

Korean cosmetics are projected to reach a record export value of $11.4 billion by 2025, making South Korea the second-largest exporter in the world, following France.

In light of this growth, Gyeongbuk has established a new platform to help local cosmetics companies enter the global market.

Gyeongju has been selected as a target area for the '2026 K-Beauty Export Hub Development Project' led by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

The competition included five metropolitan areas, including North Chungcheong, Busan, North Jeolla, and Jeju, with Gyeongju and Jeju ultimately being chosen.

Gyeongbuk plans to create a K-Beauty ecosystem that connects Gyeongju’s tourism infrastructure, which attracts many foreign tourists, with the cosmetics research and production infrastructure in Gyeongsan, facilitating a flow from experience to purchase and then to export.

With a national budget of 4.5 billion won secured, a total of 6.65 billion won will be invested by 2028.

This project will be implemented over three years from 2026 to 2028.

The collaboration between the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Gyeongbuk Province, Gyeongju City, Gyeongsan City, and private enterprises aims to build a new export model that connects tourism and the cosmetics industry.

This initiative is significant as it establishes a systematic support framework that goes beyond merely promoting products, encompassing product experience, sales, tourist response analysis, product improvement, and overseas market entry.

Gyeongju will serve as the K-Beauty hub for experience, promotion, and sales.

As a historical and cultural tourism city, Gyeongju will transform into a center where foreign tourists can directly experience Gyeongbuk's excellent cosmetics.

A K-Beauty hub store will be established in the Hwanglidangil area to continuously display and sell Gyeongbuk's cosmetics.

Experience-based pop-up stores will also operate in high-traffic areas such as the Hwanglidangil Cultural Center.

Visitors will participate in various programs, including AI skin diagnostics and personal care, allowing them to experience and purchase products tailored to their needs.

Additionally, consultation spaces for domestic and international buyers and investors will be set up to support local cosmetics companies in expanding their market reach and entering overseas markets.

Historical and cultural elements representing Gyeongju, such as the Silla golden crown and lotus motifs, will be incorporated into the design of the spaces, product packaging, and promotional content.

This will showcase K-Beauty brands that reflect Gyeongbuk's unique characteristics.

Gyeongsan will serve as the industrial hub for research, production, and export support.

Leveraging its strong cosmetics industry foundation, Gyeongsan will handle product research, production, quality control, and export support.

Centered around the Global Cosmetic Business Center, it will support product production, quality management, and corporate networking, enhancing the competitiveness of local firms.

Efforts will be made to provide information and consultations to resolve challenges related to certification, customs, and logistics that companies may face in entering international markets.

A support system will be established that spans from research and development to product enhancement and export readiness, backing the global growth of local cosmetics companies.

If Gyeongju serves as the consumption and marketing hub for experiencing K-Beauty, Gyeongsan will take on the role of an industrial hub that develops and produces high-quality products for the global market.

The core of this project is that tourist experiences do not remain as one-time consumption.

Data on tourist responses and purchases accumulated at the hub stores and experience spaces in Gyeongju and Gyeongsan will be analyzed for product improvement and enhancement.

Based on this, plans will be made to expand the domestic distribution network and connect to overseas exports, establishing a virtuous cycle.

Local small and indie cosmetics brands will have opportunities to meet consumers directly, and a foundation will be established to reflect the responses of foreign tourists in product development.

With the establishment of the Gyeongbuk K-Beauty export hub by 2028, it is expected that local cosmetics companies, which have the technical capabilities but lack promotional and sales channels, will have expanded opportunities to enter international markets.

The combination of local tourist attractions, including Hwanglidangil, and K-Beauty experience content is expected to provide tourists with a more diverse experience and help revitalize local businesses.

The growth of the cosmetics and tourism industries is anticipated to have a positive impact on youth entrepreneurship and job creation in the region.

A new high-value-added industrial model combining K-Beauty, K-Culture, and Gyeongbuk's historical and tourism resources is being created.

Both residents and tourists will be able to experience and purchase excellent cosmetics from the Gyeongbuk region in one place.

Choosing local products contributes to the growth of local businesses, job creation, and the revitalization of the regional economy, which is highly significant.

Experience K-Beauty in Gyeongju and create it in Gyeongsan, extending Gyeongbuk K-Beauty to the world!

We ask for your interest and support as Gyeongbuk opens new export paths by connecting tourism and industry.

This project is set to be implemented in phases from 2026 to 2028, and specific facilities and programs may change during the project execution.

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