Tourism Organization Introduces Korean Representative Souvenirs at Osaka Expo

Business Agreement Signed with Korail Distribution
for Operating a Pop-up Store at the Osaka Expo

The Korea Tourism Organization announced on the 9th that it has signed a business agreement with Korail Distribution to exhibit and sell award-winning works in the souvenir category of the Korea Tourism Contest at the Osaka Expo, which opens on the 13th.

Through this business agreement, the Tourism Organization stated that Korail Distribution will prepare a dedicated space for the contest-winning works at the Korean Pavilion pop-up store operated at the Osaka Expo. The Tourism Organization and Korail Distribution plan to jointly introduce Korea's representative tourism souvenirs to foreigners and support the development of overseas distribution channels.

The Osaka Expo will open on the 13th and be held for six months until October 13th around the Yumeshima Island area.

The pop-up store showcased at the Osaka Expo will operate for six months from the 13th to October 13th, coinciding with the Expo period.

Eight companies that won awards in last year’s contest will present their souvenirs. Visitors can see and purchase more than 80 products on-site that capture Korea’s diversity, such as 'Saenggwabang Yakgwa,' a traditional snack reinterpreted in a modern way, and 'Saekdong Boksora Punggyeong,' which uses colorful patchwork lucky pouches.

Yoo Hansoon, Shopping and Accommodation Team Leader at the Tourism Organization, said, "Most of the contest-winning works are products of small business owners and SMEs, so expanding overseas is not easy, but this Osaka Expo can help practically open overseas sales channels. The Tourism Organization will continue to strive to ensure that Korea’s tourism souvenirs receive greater attention on the global stage."

Since 1998, the Tourism Organization has held the Korea Tourism Contest (souvenir category) to select and promote representative souvenirs that embody Korea’s colors. The 28th Korea Tourism Contest souvenir category will begin accepting entries in early May this year. About 20 excellent tourism souvenirs, including the Presidential Award and Prime Minister’s Award, will be selected.

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