In late October, KINTEX in Goyang, Korea, became the center of export momentum once again.
The Export Boom-Up Korea Week 2025, hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and organized by KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency), marked the largest-ever business matching event in the nation’s history — connecting over 1,700 overseas buyers from 70 countries with more than 4,000 Korean exporters.

While the event covered all sectors — from cosmetics and semiconductors to smart mobility and AI — one thing was clear: Korea’s export ecosystem is expanding, diversifying, and evolving rapidly.

Event Overview: Korea’s Largest Trade Consultation Week

The 2025 Export Boom-Up Korea Week was organized to coincide with the APEC Summit in Korea, turning global attention toward Korean industries.
The event spanned October 15 to November 7, linking 28 regional exhibitions nationwide — including the Korea Electronics Show, Semiconductor Expo, Daegu International Robot Show, Gwangju BIXPO, and Busan International Maritime Industry Expo — under one integrated export platform.

According to MOTIE, this year’s Boom-Up Week hosted over 10,000 B2B consultations, with an estimated USD 350 million in contracts and MOUs expected to result.
The government emphasized that the event aims not only to increase exports but also to stimulate local industries and regional tourism, combining “business and leisure” programs to attract global visitors.

Large-scale buyers such as BAE Systems (UK), GM (USA), ElAraby (Egypt), and RMK Marine (Türkiye) joined alongside hundreds of mid-sized distributors and sourcing companies from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Key Industry Highlights

1. K-Consumer Goods Gain Ground

Korean consumer products once again proved their global appeal.
Local brands such as Migawon, a premium duck-meat processor, drew attention from European and Chinese buyers with its HACCP-certified smoked duck slices containing probiotic cultures derived from kimchi.
Migawon’s Smart Factory production management system also impressed visitors with its automation and traceability features, proving that even traditional food manufacturing in Korea is moving toward digital transformation.

“Once a match was made, it naturally led to MOU discussions,” said Kim Jong-jin, Head of Migawon, noting that the in-person consultations helped deepen overseas partnerships.

2. AI and Smart Technology Take the Stage

AI and deep-tech companies also found opportunities.
QuantumEye, a spin-off from the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), showcased its AI-based digital twin parking management service, capable of real-time mapping and predictive pedestrian detection in underground spaces.
The company signed an MOU with an Ethiopian partner during the event and is preparing for CES 2026 to expand its global presence.

“We plan to keep participating in Boom-Up Korea to build our overseas network and meet global investors,” said CEO Choi Beom-seok.

3. Semiconductor Innovation: From SiC to Gallium Oxide

Among advanced tech exhibitors, PowerCubeSemi stood out for unveiling Korea’s first mass-production fab dedicated to Gallium Oxide (Ga₂O₃) — a next-generation wide bandgap semiconductor material.
The company develops custom-designed high-efficiency power semiconductors integrating Green-IT and Power-IT technologies.
Having once cooperated with BYD in China, the firm now focuses on diversification, entering Vietnam, India, Japan, North America, and expanding further into Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

“The key lesson from earlier cooperation in China was market overdependence,” said Lee Gun-woo, Sales Team Leader at PowerCubeSemi.
“Now we are diversifying geographically to ensure sustainable growth.”

KIMCHA’s Participation: Focused Consultations with Automotive Buyers

Although the event encompassed various industries, the automotive sector maintained a strong presence — and KIMCHA was part of it.

Throughout the two-day export consultation session at KINTEX, KIMCHA met 13 overseas companies, the highest meeting count among our recent trade events.
Many of these buyers were already listed in KOTRA’s global automotive database, dealing with parts categories highly relevant to KIMCHA’s portfolio: ignition coils, sensors, and genuine/replacement components for Hyundai, Kia, and global models.

Following the main KINTEX sessions, the automotive buyers were escorted to the Daegu industry cluster, while cosmetics and consumer goods buyers continued to Osong, reflecting KOTRA’s effort to segment follow-up activities by industry specialization.

A Broader View: Why Boom-Up Korea Matters

In today’s uncertain trade environment — with rising geopolitical risks, logistics challenges, and China’s shifting role — Korea is positioning itself as an agile and diversified export hub.
The Boom-Up Korea Week represents this shift in strategy: moving from traditional single-industry expos toward integrated, cross-sector export platforms that combine B2B matchmaking, policy coordination, and local branding.

For foreign buyers, this event is more than a trade fair — it is a gateway to Korean industries.
Through coordination between KOTRA’s overseas offices and regional governments, buyers can meet verified, export-ready suppliers across multiple sectors with logistical and interpretation support already arranged.

This structure makes Boom-Up Korea a highly efficient alternative to attending multiple separate exhibitions.

For Global Buyers: How to Connect Next Time

Foreign buyers who wish to attend future sessions can contact their nearest KOTRA Trade Center to register interest.
These centers assist with pre-matching, interpretation, logistics, and even post-event follow-ups with Korean manufacturers.
For automotive, electronics, and industrial parts buyers, KINTEX (Goyang) and Daegu typically host the main sessions, while beauty and consumer sectors gather at Oseong and Seoul.

KIMCHA recommends international importers of automotive components to take advantage of this event structure — especially those seeking Korean-made OEM and aftermarket parts with flexible order quantities and strong export compliance support.

Conclusion: From Quantity to Quality in Korean Exports

The Export Boom-Up Korea Week 2025 demonstrated that Korea’s export engine is not slowing down — it is evolving toward specialization and diversity.
From traditional food producers adopting smart systems to AI and semiconductor firms expanding global reach, the event reflected a new kind of resilience in Korea’s trade ecosystem.

For KIMCHA, it reaffirmed that even in broad, multi-industry export gatherings, targeted automotive sourcing remains vibrant — and that Korea continues to hold a central position in the global parts supply chain.