“Korea’s Top 62 Brands Soar to New York”

The 2026 New York Festivals KOREA-National Brand Awards ceremony took place on Thursday, April 2, at the Lotte Hotel Seoul.

The NYF K-NBA is a 2009-developed model, the National Brand Competitiveness Index(NCI), which identifies and highlights Korea’s most valuable and competitive brands. In 2026, an index was calculated to reflect the value of over 1,900 brands, both tangible and intangible, owned by more than 800 companies and local governments. Ellen Smyth, CEO of the New York Festivals, and Donald J. Gherardi, director, were in attendance to present the award.

“Korea is consistently pushing the boundaries with its bold thinking and world-class creativity,” said Ellen Smyth, CEO of the New York Festivals, in her opening remarks. The products and brands emerging from this market are not only innovative but also fearless, sparking a significant impact across borders. “We’re excited to showcase these products at the New York Festivals,” she said. “The brands we’re celebrating today will not only be recognized with awards, but will continue to inspire and set new benchmarks for us all.”

NYF K-NBA identifies and highlights brands that are considered the most competitive in three key areas (industry, place, and culture) by both domestic and international consumers. By 2026, a total of 62 of Korea’s top national brands were selected, comprising 40 in the Industrial sector, 15 in the Place(City & Agricultural & Marine goods & Livestock) sector, and 7 in the Cultural sector.

In addition, Jongkee Chun, chairman of the Seegene Medical Foundation, has been inducted into the New York Festivals Hall of Fame. Chairman Chun founded the Seegene Medical Foundation, which has enabled the realization of medical care, health, and social welfare for humanity, and has grown into a global healthcare leader, surpassing Korea’s top disease testing institution.