Singapore Jeju Office brings Korea’s hidden gem to Suntec City
When most people think of visiting South Korea, bustling Seoul often tops their list. But there’s another side to the country that’s just as captivating — Jeju Island.
From 17 to 19 Oct, Suntec City became the stage for an extraordinary showcase of Jeju Island’s rich food, cosmetics, and cultural heritage, as the Singapore Jeju Office hosted a three-day event highlighting the best the island has to offer.
The event featured participation from a diverse range of Jeju companies and government institutions, giving visitors an authentic introduction to the island’s vibrant commerce and cultural diversity.
Designed to foster cultural and business exchanges between Jeju and Singapore, the event catered to potential tourists and business professionals alike.
Among the notable attendees was Jeju Governor Oh Young Hun, who emphasised the significance of such engagements in strengthening ties.
Speaking to MS News, Mr Oh expressed his enthusiasm about expanding Jeju’s presence in the region.
“Exports to Singapore have gone up by 61% since direct flights between Singapore and Jeju opened up in 2022, and the Singapore regional office has a great role to play in terms of enhancing our trading opportunities,” he said.
Jeju speciality items & premium products offered with live tasting sessions
A key highlight of the event was the participation of 22 Jeju companies from the F&B and cosmetics sectors, with visitors treated to sampling sessions of the island’s iconic flavours and products.
From tingling citrus-based products such as tangerine chips to unique seafood dishes such as grilled cutlassfish, the event gave attendees a chance to savour Jeju’s famed food.
Visitors who fell in love with the treats during the sampling sessions could head over to the event’s dedicated minimart.
Set up in collaboration with Lee Mart, the minimart allowed visitors to purchase their favourites and take home a taste of Jeju Island.
Some who shopped at the minimart also got a chance to spin a roulette and win exclusive products from popular Jeju companies and Jeju character products.
The booths provided detailed explanations on the specialty items, giving business professionals a clear understanding of the products offered by the companies.
Company representatives were also on hand, fostering direct engagements and opening doors for potential commercial partnerships.
A rare peek at Jeju’s unique cultural identity
Apart from its rich flavours, Jeju has a unique cultural heritage distinct from most of South Korea.
Visitors had the rare opportunity to glimpse its unique cultural identity, with a captivating performance by the Jeju Provincial Dance Company.
The 15-minute choreography, backed by powerful traditional music, brought the island’s mythologies and traditions to life through graceful movements and expressive storytelling.
The event also invited six tour and heritage divisions, providing visitors with valuable insights into exploring Jeju:
- Jeju Government
- Jeju Tourism Organization
- Jeju Convention Bureau
- Cultural and Arts Promotion Agency (Jeju Provincial Dance Company)
- Jeju Stone Park
- Jeju Contents Agency
The booths offered comprehensive guides, sharing everything visitors needed to know about exploring the island, from recommended itineraries to transportation tips and local food suggestions.
Experts at the tourism booths were available to answer all travel-related questions in detail.
To make learning more engaging, the organisers hosted daily quizzes on Jeju’s history, culture, and products, with Jeju-themed gift sets and exclusive cultural items as prizes.
Doubles up as prime MICE destination
Jeju is not only a cultural gem but also a prime MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination.
The island boasts world-class infrastructure for business activities, including Jeju Convention Bureau and International Convention Centre Jeju, which accommodates up to 4,300 people. Nearby hotels and resorts also offer a variety of convention facilities.
Notably, Jeju provides a hassle-free experience for business professionals, with visa-free entry for most countries for up to 30 days.
The island offers more than 70,000 hotel rooms, 6,000 of which are luxury options, ensuring visitors enjoy quality rest.
Future cooperation with Singapore
Looking ahead, Jeju is keen on expanding its tourism ties with Singapore.
“Both Jeju and Singapore are developing sustainable tourism businesses, and we will aim for greater cooperation in this area,” Mr Oh said.
Jeju aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2035, and its energy sector looks forward to collaborating with Singapore’s sustainability programmes.
Mr Oh also hopes to expand the student exchange programme between Jeju and Singapore, reflecting a dedication to enhancing school education and strengthening educational ties between the two regions.
“We want to thank Singaporeans for touring Jeju and liking Jeju’s products,” he said. “We will also prepare a variety of products from here on out, and we look forward to your continued support.”
Whether you’re a business professional seeking the ideal convention venue or simply looking for a relaxing getaway from the stressors of life, Jeju is set to be the perfect destination in 2025.
For more information, visit the Singapore Jeju Office’s official website and follow it on Instagram or Facebook.
This article was brought to you in collaboration with the Singapore Jeju Office.
Featured image by MS News. Photography by Eldora Chong.
