Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

The Korean government will run a customized export support program from 2026 through 2030 to develop 500 key exporters with annual exports of at least USD 10 million. Selected companies will receive package support in marketing, finance, and certification from five export support agencies, with assistance of up to KRW 560 million per company for up to three years.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) held a launch ceremony and business roundtable for the K-Export Star 500 program in Seoul on May 12, 2026. The event brought together 100 promising companies selected for this year’s program and relevant organizations.

MOTIR established K-Export Star 500 this year to narrow export disparities by helping high-potential SMEs and middle market enterprises grow into “export stars” with annual exports of at least USD 10 million. Applications opened in January 2026, and 100 promising SMEs and middle market enterprises in consumer goods, mainstay industries and advanced industries were selected for support this year.

The event consisted of a business roundtable to gather feedback from exporters, followed by a launch ceremony. The roundtable was held at JUNGSAEMMOOL Beauty’s Seongsu flagship store, where seven representative companies across sectors shared practical challenges in entering overseas markets, including obtaining overseas certification and conducting joint local marketing.

The Korean government will work with five export support agencies—the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-SURE), Korea Conformity Laboratories (KCL), Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) and Korea Planning & Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT)—to address companies’ export challenges and strengthen customized support throughout the export process.

At the ceremony, the K-Export One Team digital agreement was concluded following congratulatory remarks by Minister JK Kim. The agreement launches the Export Star Makers framework, enabling participating organizations to work beyond institutional boundaries and provide integrated support in marketing, finance, certification, technology and R&D based on company demand.

“Amid growing external uncertainty, it is critical to build a broader base of export stars that each generate at least USD 10 million in annual exports and form the backbone of Korea’s exports,” Minister Kim said. “The government and the five export support agencies will work as one team to build an export support system that responds quickly to company needs.”