Overseas expansion is continuing for startups that have developed products using Jeju's unique resources such as haenyeo, agar, tangerines, and basalt. The Jeju Tourism Organization expects to expand beyond tourism into an export industry that showcases Jeju's goods and content.
The Jeju Tourism Organization said on the 8th that from 2018 to 2025 it discovered and nurtured 43 startups through J-Startup, Jeju's startup incubation program. The cumulative sales of these startups total 99.4 billion won, with 576 jobs created and 16.4 billion won in investment attracted.
These startups are continuing to expand overseas. Haenyeo's Kitchen, which combines a performance themed on Jeju haenyeo with a restaurant, opened a store in Singapore in 2025 and is doing brisk business. Umoo, which makes pudding, soap, cosmetics, and more from Jeju agar, opened two stores in Macau this year.
Bel A Bel Farm, which develops pet foods using Jeju ingredients such as chicken breast, flatfish, dwarf bamboo, and Hallabong, is expanding its business into Asian markets including Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Jeju Basalt, which makes desserts inspired by basalt and products using Jeju tangerines and buckwheat, is exporting its products to China and Japan. Medals is pushing overseas exports of 100% Jeju tangerine juice beverages, and We'd Like is exporting products that use Jeju ingredients such as black pork and tangerines to overseas markets including the United States.
A Jeju Tourism Organization official said, "These corporations embed Jeju's nature, culture, and stories into their products so that overseas consumers encounter Jeju through the goods," adding, "This is also expected to broaden the scope of Jeju's tourism industry."