Recent developments in textile technology may help Korea join the ranks of world leaders and give the country’s textile industry a much-needed helping hand. Smart textiles and fabrics have entered the market, equipped with communication and sensory functions.

Developed as part of a US$15.5 million five-year joint research and development program between the government, academia and industrial organisations, the fabric is touch-sensitive and conducts electricity.

Advances in smart textile technology could help increase the brand power of the nation’s fashion industry, said Cho Dae-hyun, Director of research and development at Korea Textile Development Institute.

Rising labor costs in Korea and competition from developing countries caused the nation’s textile production to gradually decrease over the years. According Cho, the country’s textile industry, cannot compete with countries like China in terms of quantity. The fusion of textile technology and the IT sector will provide the nation’s textile industry with a competitive edge over countries whose cheap labor costs contributed to a decline in Korea’s share in the world textile market.