TCF POST Report
The Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI) is launching a three-year mission focused on three core goals. Its leadership aims to achieve 100% localization of defense fibers (materials used in military uniforms and equipment), revitalize startups in the textile and fashion sectors, and discover and promote promising textile and fashion companies.
While disclosing this mission to the Korean media, KOFOTI Chairman Choi Byung-oh emphasized that startups can actively contribute to the textile and fashion sectors, potentially sparking a renaissance for “K-fashion” similar to the global success of K-beauty.
“The U.S. produces military uniforms using 100% American textiles even if production costs rise, but South Korea has a very low percentage of domestic textile materials in its military uniforms and equipment,” Choi stated. “Because Korea is a divided nation, national security dictates that we should produce military supplies using 100% domestic products rather than relying on low-cost textiles from Southeast Asia and China.”
Mr. Choi, who is set to be re-elected to lead KOFOTI for another three years, pointed out that while many Korean textile and apparel factories have moved abroad due to high domestic labor costs, a significant number of production facilities still operate in Busan, Daegu, and Changsin-dong, Seoul.
“Korea has a well-equipped infrastructure that makes it easy to sell clothes online. Furthermore, as artificial intelligence (AI) technology evolves, the fashion industry will become easier for solo entrepreneurs to break into than almost any other field,” Choi added.
Commonly known as Sumsanryeon in Korean, KOFOTI was founded in 1967 by domestic textile producers to develop the industry and strengthen its competitiveness. Today, it comprises 32 member companies and organizations, including various textile and fashion associations alongside textile research institutes.
Choi himself is the founder and chairman of Fashion Group Hyungji, which operates 22 brands including Crocodile Ladies, Chatelaine, Yezac, and Bon. The group’s portfolio also features golf and outdoor brands like Castelbajac, Wildroses, and North Cape; footwear and accessories brands Esquire and Sonovi; and the student and corporate uniform brand Hyungji Elite.
