Coupang holds one-on-one product reviews and consulting for Jeju Island small businesses

47 companies take part in '2026 Jeju K-Local Star' event

Local government, economic groups and private sector join forces

Representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners from Jeju Island pose for a group photo at the "2026 Jeju K-Local Star" event. [Coupang Inc]

Coupang Inc said Tuesday it has partnered with Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and local economic organizations to support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners on Jeju Island by expanding their online sales channels.

Coupang took part in the "2026 Jeju K-Local Star" event Monday at Halla Convention in Jeju, conducting one-on-one consultations and product reviews for local businesses. The event was co-hosted by seven economic organizations — the Jeju 6th Industry Association, Jeju Biotech Enterprise Association, Jeju Cosmetics Enterprise Association, Jeju Startup Association, the Jeju chapter of the Korea Venture Business Association, the Korea International Trade Association Jeju Enterprise Council, and Jeju Massim — with Coupang Inc and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province as sponsors.

A total of 47 Jeju small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners participated in the product review, bringing processed foods made from Jeju specialties such as tangerines, black pork and seafood, as well as cosmetics, lifestyle products and tourism goods. Coupang deployed six brand managers across product categories — fresh fruit, food and beverage, beauty and exports — to conduct individual consultations and assessments for each participating company.

Lecture programs aimed at strengthening the online sales capabilities of local businesses were also held, covering practical information on export trends to Taiwan, product planning and sales channel expansion. Local businesses that did not participate in the product review were also invited to attend the lectures and a question-and-answer session.

About 200 people attended the event, including Jang Young-cheol, executive vice president of Coupang Inc's corporate social responsibility division, and Kim Kyung-eun, chair of the product review organizing committee, along with representatives from Jeju's regional economic organizations and businesses. Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Deputy Governor Park Cheon-su, Jeju Provincial Council Future Economy and Industry Committee Chairman Kim Ki-hwan, and Jeju Provincial Assembly member Kang Jeong-beom also attended and toured the company booths. National Assembly member Moon Dae-rim delivered a congratulatory video message, while Assembly member Kim Seong-beom sent a written congratulatory message.

"The significance of this event lies in the fact that local government, regional economic organizations and businesses have pooled their capabilities to jointly support the growth of local companies," a Coupang Inc corporate social responsibility official said. "We will continue to expand sales channels and provide growth support that offers real, practical help to small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners, based on ongoing public-private cooperation."

Meanwhile, Coupang Inc plans to expand its product review program — which supports online sales channel growth for local small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners — nationwide, starting with the Jeju event. The company is also running online sales education and consulting programs, including the Coupang Digital Jump-Up Academy.

Jeju Provincial Council Future Economy and Industry Committee Chairman Kim Ki-hwan, Coupang Inc Executive Vice President Jang Young-cheol and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Deputy Governor Park Cheon-su tour the booths of participating companies. [Coupang Inc]

andy@heraldcorp.com