▲ This photo, provided by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency on March 23, 2026, shows, the Korean pavilion at Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

   SEOUL, April 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's cosmetics exports reached a record high in the first quarter of this year, firmly establishing itself as a key export driver, the finance ministry said Tuesday.

   Outbound shipments of Korean beauty products rose 19 percent from a year earlier to a record US$3.1 billion in the January–March period, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economy, which cited data compiled by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

   "The K-beauty industry's cosmetics exports are maintaining strong growth this year and have become one of the country's leading export drivers," the ministry said.

   In an effort to assess on-site conditions in the K-beauty industry and hear about business difficulties, the finance ministry inspected a cosmetics manufacturing facility Monday.

   During the inspection, the ministry said officials listened to industry concerns over global supply chain uncertainties stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict and pledged to strengthen government support so that the K-beauty industry can continue to grow as a key export engine.

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