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Leader in Fashion with Both Production and Consumption Power CloseLeader in Fashion with Both Production and Consumption PowerThe Korean fashion market has been growing amid attention from Asian consumers, thanks to the Hallyu phenomenon which was launched by K-pop in the mid 2000s.
The Korean luxury market in 2019 reached USD 12.7 billion, the eighth largest in the world,
and it showed an average annual growth rate of 6.5% from 2013 to 2019.In the past three years, over 4,500 fashion designers were fostered every year, thereby developing an excellent human resource pool.
Korea also has global competitiveness in the synthetic fiber field, including high value-added fibers such as spandex, polyester tire cord, and low melting fiber.- No. 1 - Largest market share in the high value-added industrial fiber market
- Polyester tire cord (Hyosung)
- Spandex (Creora of Hyosung TNC)
- Low melting fiber (LMF) (Huvis)
- No. 5 - No. 5 synthetic fiber output in the world (2018)
- No. 8 - No. 8 luxury market size in the world (2019)
- 6.5% - 6.5% CAGR in the luxury market since 2013
- 4,500 - Foster over 4,500 fashion designers every year (2016 to 2018)
- No. 1 - Largest market share in the high value-added industrial fiber market
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Korean Textile and Fashion Industries Explore New Markets with ICT Convergence OpenKorean Textile and Fashion Industries Explore New Markets with ICT ConvergenceSales of the Korean textile and fashion industries reached USD 32.1 billion (KRW 37.4 trillion) in 2019, up 13% YoY,
and operating income was increased by 28.3% from the previous year to reach USD 1.9 billion (KRW 2.2 trillion).
Even though more production for the Korean textile and fashion industries moved overseas,
exports ranked 7th in 2018. The fashion industry also applies high levels of ICT, such as AI, VR,
and AR to develop smart textile materials and clothing and advance mass customization technologies. The Korean textile and fashion industries are expected to explore new markets actively based on convergence with ICT.(Unit :Output, Amount of added-value: KRW billion/Exports, Imports: USD million)Korean Textile Industrial Trends Category, year Category 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Output 4,272 4,657 4,562 4,521 4,524 4,556 4,229 4,115 4,029 Amount of added-value 4,272 4,657 4,562 4,521 4,524 4,556 4,229 4,115 4,029 Exports 4,272 4,657 4,562 4,521 4,524 4,556 4,229 4,115 4,029 Imports 4,272 4,657 4,562 4,521 4,524 4,556 4,229 4,115 4,029 ※ Source: Output, Amount of added-value: Statistics Korea/Exports, Import: Korea International Trade Association -
Stream Structure of the Korean Textile and Fashion Industries OpenStream Structure of the Korean Textile and Fashion IndustriesThe structure of the textile and fashion industries are divided into upstream (textile materials/yarns), middle stream (fabric, dyeing/processing),
and downstream (clothing, other textiles). The sewing/clothing/fashion areas account for 40% of total output,
followed by fabric/knit (22.3%) and textile materials/yarns (17.45%)."Stream Structure of the Korean Textile and Fashion Industries"(2018)Stream Structure of the Korean Textile and Fashion Industries Type of Business, Number of Companies (proportion), Number of Employees (proportion), Output (KRW billion) (proportion) Type of Business Number of Companies
(proportion)Number of Employees
(proportion)Output (KRW billion)
(proportion)Textile Materials/Yarns (natural/chemical) 2,159
(4.7%)21,047
(7.6%)6,856
(17.4%)Fabric/Knit 12,668
(27.7%)66,886
(24.1%)8,792
(22.3%)Dyeing/Processing/Printing 3,969
(8.7%)34,375
(12.4%)3,782
(9.6%)Sewing/Clothing/Fashion 23,711
(51.8%)129,614
(46.7%)15,598
(39.6%)Industrial Fiber 3,278
(7.2%)25,714
(9.3%)4,364
(11.1%)Total 45,785 277,636 39,392 ※ Source: Statistics Korea -
Global Fashion Brands Actively Enter the Korean Market OpenGlobal Fashion Brands Actively Enter the Korean MarketGlobal fashion companies have been entering the Korean market to target Korean and Chinese consumers.
Foreign direct investment is concentrated in distribution of global fashion brands, rather than manufacturing.
Global SPA brands, such as Zara and H&M, have invested in the form of joint ventures.(2019)-
Zara Retail Korea
- Sector: Shirts and outer garment wholesale
- Investing country: Spain
- Sales: USD 357 million (2019)
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H&M Hennes and Mauritz Korea
- Sector: Shirts and other clothing retail
- Investing country: Sweden
- Sales: USD 234 million (2019)
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Burberry Korea
- Sector: Shirts and outer garment wholesale
- Investing country: UK
- Sales: USD 214 million (2019)
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JD Sports Fashion Korea
- Sector: Sportwear
- Investing country: UK
- Sales: USD 64 million (2019)
※ Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Financial Supervisory Service Electronic Disclosure System -
Zara Retail Korea
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Policies to Strengthen Digital Competency and Global Competitiveness of the Korean Textile and Fashion Industries OpenPolicies to Strengthen Digital Competency and Global Competitiveness of the Korean Textile and Fashion IndustriesThe Korean government established the Textile and Fashion Industries Vitalization Plans in June 2019. The plans include “Smart Factore” (factory + store) to improve the manufacturing environment and productivity and the advancement of industrial structure by focusing on high added-value industrial fiber.
The government, in particular, aims to integrate value chains and realize a data platform based cooperative system to manufacture small-scale, customized clothing efficiently in smart factories.Moreover, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced the Dongdaemun Fashion Market Vitalization Plan in April 2019,
which includes a five-stage project that constructs smart industrial foundation and value chains connecting materials, manufacturing, and distribution in the Dongdaemun area.
The primary objectives are to create new industries, such as customized clothing services applying ICT, and digitalize or make a premium ecosystem.※ Footnote: Speed Factore is a compound word merging “factory” and “store.” Autonomous production processes of smart factories and B2C characteristics of the textile and fashion industries are added together. Stores receive orders from consumers and produce customized products. -
Production Structure Focusing on Special Local Products OpenProduction Structure Focusing on Special Local ProductsThe metropolitan area is the largest fashion hub that leads trends and distribution and has the largest consumer market.
Different regions have their own clusters in which special products are produced."Number of Companies and Employees Involved in Special Local Textile Products and Textile and Fashion Industries "(2018)-
Gyeonggi : Knit, dyeing processing
- Companies: 9,080(18.8)
- Employees: 62,444(21.2)
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Gangwon-do : Other textiles
- Companies: 362(0.7)
- Employees: 1,435(0.5)
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Seoul : Clothing, Fashion
- Companies: 20,088(41.6)
- Employees: 104,124(35.3)
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Gyeongsangbuk-do : Chemical fiber, Medical
- Companies: 2,594(5.4)
- Employees: 22,071(7.5)
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Chungcheong : Industrial, Jacquard
- Companies: 1,185(2.5)
- Employees : 8,896(3.0)
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Daegu : Fabric, Dyeing/Processing, Super fiber
- Companies: 4,715(9.8)
- Employees: 29,756(10.1)
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Jeollabuk-do : Knit, Carbon fiber
- Companies: 833(1.7)
- Employees: 6,872(2.3)
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Busan : Industrial, Clothing, Footwear
- Companies: 4,271(8.8)
- Employees: 28,871(9.8)
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Jeollanam-do : Spinning
- Companies: 613(1.3)
- Employees: 2,437(0.8)
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Gyeongsangnam-do : Silk
- Companies: 1,345(2.8)
- Employees: 8,753(3.0)
※ Source: Statistics Korea “Korean Statistical Information Service” National Survey on Companies (survey on companies with at least one person)
※ Footnote: Special textile, Company (number of companies), Employment (number of employees) -
Gyeonggi : Knit, dyeing processing
Invest KOREA
Food/Fashion/Beauty PM
Chung Bo Young
Key Industries Promotion Team
T.+82-2-3460-7888
Recommendation on Locations
Industrial complex information
[Daegu Metropolitan City Seo-gu] Daegu Dyeing General Industrial Complex (Regeneration Business District)
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Complex nameDaegu Dyeing General Industrial Complex (Regeneration Business District)
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Initial designation date1980.11.28
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Designated area(m2)849,648
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ManagementDaegu Dyeing Industrial Corporation
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Nearby RailwaySeodaegu Station
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Distance from station(km)2
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Nearby AirportDaegu International Airport
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Distance from airport(km)10
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Industrial water Supply capacity(ton/day)120(㎥/day)
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Affiliation local governmentDaegu Metropolitan City Seo-gu
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Population2,428,228
Industrial complex information
[Gyeongsangbuk-do Yeongju City] Ban-gu Specialized Agricultural Industrial Complex
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Complex nameBan-gu Specialized Agricultural Industrial Complex
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Initial designation date2010.08.03
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Designated area(m2)299,354
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ManagementGyeongsangbuk-do Yeongju City
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Nearby RailwayYeongju Station
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Distance from station(km)9
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Nearby AirportWonju Airport
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Distance from airport(km)115
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Industrial water Supply capacity(ton/day)10(㎥/day)
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Affiliation local governmentGyeongsangbuk-do Yeongju City
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Population103,652
Industrial complex information
[Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsan City] Gyeongsan 1st General Industrial Complex
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Complex nameGyeongsan 1st General Industrial Complex
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Initial designation date1990.12.10
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Designated area(m2)1,577,414
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ManagementGyeongsan Industrial Complex Corportation
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Nearby RailwayGyeongsan Station
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Distance from station(km)15
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Nearby AirportDaegu International Airport
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Distance from airport(km)24
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Industrial water Supply capacity(ton/day)7000(㎥/day)
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Affiliation local governmentGyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsan City
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Population262,300
Industrial complex information
[Gyeonggi-do Yangju City] Hongjuk General Industrial Complex
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Complex nameHongjuk General Industrial Complex
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Initial designation date2008.03.25
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Designated area(m2)585,700
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ManagementKorea Industrial Complex Corporation
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Nearby RailwayDongducheon Station
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Distance from station(km)21
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Nearby AirportGimpo International Airport
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Distance from airport(km)43
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Industrial water Supply capacity(ton/day)3137(㎥/day)
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Affiliation local governmentGyeonggi-do Yangju City
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Population229,052
Industrial complex information
[Daegu Metropolitan City Seo-gu] Seodaegu Industrial Complex (Renewable Zone)
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Complex nameSeodaegu Industrial Complex (Renewable Zone)
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Initial designation date2013.12.30
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Designated area(m2)2,661,821
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ManagementSeodaegu Industrial Complex Association
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Nearby RailwaySeodaegu Station
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Distance from station(km)3
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Nearby AirportDaegu International Airport
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Distance from airport(km)20
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Industrial water Supply capacity(ton/day)18807(㎥/day)
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Affiliation local governmentDaegu Metropolitan City Seo-gu
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Population2,428,228
Industrial complex information
[Gyeonggi-do Dongducheon City] Sangbong-am General Industrial Complex
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Complex nameSangbong-am General Industrial Complex
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Initial designation date1995.02.14
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Designated area(m2)54,522
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ManagementGyeonggi-do Dongducheon City
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Nearby RailwayDongducheon Station
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Distance from station(km)2
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Nearby AirportGimpo International Airport
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Distance from airport(km)76
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Industrial water Supply capacity(ton/day)100(㎥/day)
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Affiliation local governmentGyeonggi-do Dongducheon City
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Population93,968