South Korea may not be the first country that comes to mind when you think of the world’s most prominent leisure vehicle industries, but that stereotype has been rapidly changing in recent years

Words David Guest

This East Asian nation did not always have a traditionally strong interest in camping, but in the immediate years after the COVID-19 pandemic, an uptick in interest in the hobby began to emerge among the Korean people. As in so many other countries, the restrictions on international travel left many holidaymakers looking inside their own borders for an escape, and so the relatively small and humble RV industry of South Korea received a significant boost. The nation is now regarded as one of the fastest-growing RV markets in all of Asia. Evidence of this can be seen in multiple ways. For starters, it’s estimated that 9,000 new caravan and motorhome registrations took place in South Korea in 2022, meanwhile, the country’s major exhibitions have seen steadily increasing attendance – more than 100,000 people visited the three major shows combined in the past year. There are estimated to be about 3,000 campgrounds in South Korea, another figure that has increased significantly in recent years.
The focus on growth and increased professionalism in the RV industry in South Korea first took off in 2015 when the Korea Recreational Vehicle Association (KRVIA) was founded. This organisation was established out of necessity to help make the industry more professional, more unified, and better equipped for future growth. Of the KRVIA’s many different objectives, some of its key missions are to survey and research the industry, establish technological standards relating to RVs, introduce policies to promote the industry, expose the industry to a wider audience, and also to organise and promote exhibitions and events.
When it was first founded, much of the organisation’s initial work was to enlist the many manufacturers, distributors, and dealers of the country as members. It now has a thriving membership of approximately 80 members, more than 40 of which are manufacturers, and new members are added on an almost monthly basis.
Over the past few years, the KRVIA has worked on projects such as improving the overall camping infrastructure of South Korea to meet increasing demand, helping to encourage companies to cooperate and work together for the greater good, and setting up cooperations with tourism organisations. One of the most significant recent programmes it successfully implemented was the introduction of so-called ‘RV Stations’ in South Korea. These stations provide camping car accommodation in open fields in rural areas across the country, which gives RV users a low-cost place to stay with a cooperative two-way infrastructure that helps improve the economies of small villages. They are very similar in style to the ‘aires’ that are found in France and other European nations.
The KRVIA is also becoming more active on the international stage to share learnings between countries. A recent example came in 2022 when the KRVIA sent a delegation of 13 staff to Germany to tour some of its famous motorhome and caravan brands and also to visit the Caravan Salon show in Dusseldorf. The KRVIA subsequently signed an agreement with Germany’s CIVD organisation so that the two bodies can work more closely together to see how they can help each other.

Exhibitions are an essential part of the industry
The growth and potential of the leisure vehicle market in South Korea can be seen quite clearly with the success of its various trade shows and exhibitions. One of the largest events is the Camping & Picnic Fair, which takes place in the capital city of Seoul and has been established since 2013. The organisers of the event, AllFair, stated that the most recent edition in March 2024 welcomed more than 70,000 visitors, hosted 165 different exhibiting companies, and also welcomed 26 overseas exhibitors from China and Germany. The exhibition covers an impressive 32,157 sqm and showcases not only leisure vehicles and RVs but also products from tent camping and general outdoor goods.
A slightly younger, but no less important exhibition in South Korea is the Korea Camping Car Show, which takes place in June each year at the BEXCO Exhibition Hall in the coastal city of Busan. This event is organised by the KRVIA and describes itself as the main exhibition in the country for the RV industry. The KRVIA says about the show: “This year, it starts on the same day as the Busan Mobility Show and is expected to attract many visitors. Based on its success so far, it will be reborn as an exhibition officially sponsored by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
“As Korea’s largest RV main exhibition, it is an opportunity to see the latest trends in motorhomes, caravan tents/cargo trailers, etc.”
The other major professional RV exhibition in South Korea, also organised by the KRVIA, is the Suwon Camping Car Show, which takes place in October each year. This show used to be called the Suwon Leisure Vehicle Industry Exhibition for the first three years of its existence but was rebranded as the Suwon Camping Car Show for the 2023 edition. Like the other two shows mentioned, this event is growing every year alongside the general growth trend shown by the industry in Korea.

Car camping is a key to growth
While South Korea does manufacture and import plenty of caravans and motorhomes, these are usually of a modest size, and not generally as large as ones seen in markets such as the United States or even Europe. Part of that is down to the infrastructure of the country, the other part is likely down to the fact that the market is still in its early stages, and many Koreans who are interested in camping are from a younger demographic. This is evident with the growth of the trend of what is known as ‘chabak’ – the South Korean for car camping. According to an article by Korean automotive giant Hyundai from November 2023, car camping became a gateway for many young people to enter the world of camping, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
More and more South Koreans in their 30s and 40s began to try this inexpensive and accessible way to camp – making modifications to their normal cars and adding many different accessories to make them perfect camping cars. It even led to major manufacturers creating SUVs and other regular vehicles with more of a focus on car camping, including fold-down seats and large, flat areas to place mattresses.

Who are the big players?
As mentioned already in this article, there is no shortage of manufacturers in the South Korean market when it comes to leisure vehicles, components, and accessories. Some of the biggest brands in motorhome and campervan manufacturing include Sungwoo Motors, STARMOVIL, Walden Mobile, Hanwool, and Dream Van. When it comes to caravans and trailer RVs there are also several big-name brands to consider such as the likes of Airvan, Marre, and GER.
The Korean market is also starting to be infiltrated by European and American brands thanks to some major importers. Brands such as Airstream, Swift, Hymer, and Wingamm are present in South Korea thanks to a partnership with importer Bluebird Enterprise, based in Seoul. Another large importer is Gaon Caravan, which works with Western brands such as Bailey of Bristol, Coachman, and Knaus Tabbert. Other importers in the country include AutoHomes, which deals with brands such as Dethleffs, Carado, and Isabella, and GCTRV – a company that sells products from Alde, Powrtouch, Lippert, Dometic, and Truma among others.

KRVIA: pioneering Korea’s recreational vehicle culture
The Korea Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (KRVIA) was established with a mission to foster and expand Korea’s recreational vehicle (RV) culture, making it a prominent part of the country’s popular culture. Through dedicated industrial research and technological cooperation, KRVIA aims to enhance the competitiveness of the RV industry in Korea.

KRVIA serves as Korea’s representative RV association, comprising member companies involved in the manufacture and import of recreational vehicles and RV parts. The association is committed to advancing the RV industry by promoting exchange and cooperation with both domestic and international organizations. By forming strategic alliances, KRVIA works to enhance industrial value and facilitate the global outreach of Korea’s RV culture.

Since its founding in 2015, KRVIA has been instrumental in the proper growth and development of RV culture in Korea. The association continually develops new programs to broaden the appeal and accessibility of RVs, ensuring that the public, member companies, and related organizations can coexist harmoniously.

With a rich history of progress, KRVIA held its inaugural general meeting in 2022, following years of preparatory efforts that began in 2015. The association has consistently worked to promote the RV lifestyle, helping it become a significant part of everyday life in Korea. KRVIA’s dedication to innovation and collaboration continues to drive the RV industry forward, making it a vital part of Korea’s cultural and industrial landscape.

Member Manufacturers of KRVIA
Builders of Campers and Caravans

Airvan, Autorex, Camping Inus, Camping Mania, Campingcar Master, Cheil Mobile, Compaks Rv Korea, Cozy Campingcar Market, Covan, Daeum Technology, Daon Tnt, Dong Il Enc, Dreamvan, Duotop, Dpart, Eunha Mobile, Ff Campingcar, Highend Camping Car, Human Camping Car, Ipower, Kim&Kim Camping Car, Kite Rv, Kocam, Komma, Korea Seller, Lycani, Mare Corporation, Marre, Nain Campingcar, Odyssey, Patio, Road Trip Camping, Space Movil, Star Movil, Summit Caravan, Sungwoo Motors, Tomato Auto, Tops Mobile, Vantech, Verne Mobility, Walden, Yes Rv, Youngnam Camping Car.