Jeju Island Conflict Resolved... Orion Launches Jeju Yongamsu Sales, "Expanding into China and Vietnam"

"Focus on Domestic Home Delivery Service, Maximizing Premium Strategy"
Launching in China in March and Entering Vietnam in Q2
20% of Jeju Yongamsu Sales Profits Returned to Jeju Island

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] Orion announced on the 30th that it has finally concluded negotiations with the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Office for the domestic sales of the premium mineral water ‘Orion Jeju Yongamsu’ and will begin full-scale sales.

Domestically, to strengthen the premium product image, the company plans to focus on ‘online home delivery’ services through mobile applications and website orders, B2B sales targeting corporations, and duty-free shops catering to overseas tourists. Currently, 530ml and 2L products are being sold through the home delivery service, and a 330ml size will be launched within the first half of the year.

Overseas, customs clearance tests for the 530ml product are underway for exports to China in February, with plans to enter offline channels in South China regions such as Guangdong Province starting in March. In October last year, even before the product launch, Orion secured an export contract with China’s largest coffee chain, ‘Luckin Coffee,’ recognizing the product’s beautiful design and strengths as mineral water. Alongside offline channel sales in China, the company will also open stores in Luckin Coffee within the first half of the year. The export plan for Vietnam, originally scheduled for the second half, has been advanced to the second quarter to prioritize channels such as large supermarkets and convenience stores. In the future, Orion plans to leverage its global network to compete seriously with world-renowned mineral waters in markets including Russia.

Orion is also actively leading regional contribution activities for Jeju’s economic development and preservation of its pristine nature. Twenty percent of the profits from domestic and international sales of Orion Jeju Yongamsu will be returned to Jeju Province to be used for balanced development, elderly welfare, and the development of residents in Gujwa-eup, where the Yongam Seawater Industrial Complex is located.

Since signing an industry-academic cooperation MOU with Jeju National University in 2017, Orion has prioritized hiring Jeju residents and contributed to job creation within Jeju. The Orion Foundation supports various projects for Jeju residents in areas such as community contribution activities in Gujwa-eup and Seongsan-eup, academic research, and elementary school education programs. In particular, it has donated 300 million KRW over three years to the ‘Gujwa Love Hope Dream Project’ and the ‘Seongsan Hope Partnership’ project, and will provide a total of 500 million KRW over ten years to the Jeju Studies Association to promote Jeju research and Jeju studies. Going forward, Orion plans to expand community support activities and accelerate marine environmental protection efforts through the establishment of a marine environment protection fund.

Meanwhile, Orion acquired the Jeju-based company ‘Jeju Yongamsu’ in 2016 and declared its second leap as a global comprehensive food company. Last year, it built a production plant on a 30,000㎡ (9,075 pyeong) site in the Yongam Seawater Industrial Complex in Gujwa-eup, Jeju City, with a building area of 14,985㎡ (4,533 pyeong). The plant is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and new technologies, including German Krones, a global beverage equipment manufacturer, and Swiss Nestal, a cap and bottle equipment manufacturer. To become another tourist attraction for domestic and international tourists visiting Jeju, including those from China, Orion also established a top-tier Orion Jeju Yongamsu promotional center.

‘Orion Jeju Yongamsu’ is a premium mineral water comparable to world-renowned waters, containing 62mg/L of calcium, which helps bone health; 22mg/L of potassium, which aids in sodium excretion and helps maintain body fluid and electrolyte balance; and 9mg/L of magnesium, which supports nerve and muscle function. To address consumers experiencing body acidification due to Westernized diets, the water is mildly alkaline with a pH of 8.1 to 8.9. In addition to its mineral content, it is also praised for its beautiful design that reflects the nature of Jeju.

An Orion official said, “Based on the domestic premium brand image, we will grow Orion Jeju Yongamsu into a global brand. We will promote Jeju’s pristine nature in countries where Orion Jeju Yongamsu enters, and through increased exports, job creation, tax revenue growth, and active regional contribution activities, we will achieve mutual growth with Jeju Province.”

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