○ Korea Ceramic Foundation (KOCEF) to launch online ceramic business platform K-Ceramic (k-ceramic.com) on September 1
– A comprehensive ceramic-related platform that includes an online store, ceramic-specific information and community (communication) space
– Korea’s representative ceramic brand, K-Ceramic features 980 works by 200 artisans; includes Living Mall, Gallery Mall, Export Brand Mall, and Ceramic Material Mall
– Strengthening ceramic industry competitiveness by improving distribution environment

KOCEF announced on September 9 that it will launch Korea’s largest online ceramic business platform, K-Ceramic (k-ceramic.com), to strengthen the competitiveness of the ceramic industry.

K-Ceramic, initiated to reinforce industry competitiveness by enhancing the domestic distribution environment, operates as a comprehensive ceramic industry platform that includes an online ceramic store (open market) and a ceramic information community. Foreign language support in English, Chinese and Vietnamese is also available for global buyers and consumers.

The core content of the K-Ceramic online store (shop.k-ceramic.com) is divided into two parts: 1) an open market to which artisans can directly upload and manage product information; and 2) works selected through a global export strategy contest. The largest platform of its kind in Korea, K-Ceramic features 980 products that have been carefully selected from the works of 200 artisans and presented in different categories including: Living Mall (daily-use ceramics), Gallery Mall (ceramic art), and Export Brand Mall (global export products). The range of products available for purchase will be expanded through the continuous recruitment and selection of artisans.

Of particular note, the Ceramic Material Mall—which is linked to companies specializing in sales and distribution of professional equipment such as electric kilns, earthenware and potter’s wheels as well as pottery tools and materials like carving knives, brushes and gypsum molds—has been designed to allow users to conveniently compare and purchase various ceramic-related paraphernalia.

KOCEF will hold an “everyone is a winner” roulette event for new members that will provide discounted coupons of up to KRW 5,000 to newly registered customers. The event will run until related funds are exhausted, and 0.1% of purchase amounts will be given as points to all purchasing customers.

In addition, K-Ceramic also offers professional ceramic-related information services such as ceramic news, artisan introductions and ceramic R&D resources, as well as a community space including online forums (bulletin board) and artisan chat rooms.

KOCEF CEO Choi Yun said, “This online ceramic business platform has been designed to prepare for the future of the ceramic industry rather than for the realization of immediate profits. We will actively support the improvement of the ceramic industry distribution environment, which is vulnerable in terms of the online market, and strengthen its competitiveness.”

Meanwhile, KOCEF is recruiting resident companies for the Living Mall and Gallery Mall of the K-Ceramic online store. For more information, please visit the Korea Ceramic Foundation website (www.kocef.org).