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History

Explore our rich history, driven by our vision for a healthier life and society.

1971

Our milestones so far
on our journey to building a healthier societyOur milestones so far
on our journey to building a healthier society

1969 - 1985

Pioneering the
Fermented Dairy Industry

We pioneered the fermented dairy market by introducing Korea’s first probiotics beverage.
We pioneered the fermented dairy market by introducing Korea’s first probiotics beverage.
  1. 1969
    1. Nov.
      Establishment of Korea Yakult Dairy Co., Ltd. (currently hy)
  2. 1971
    1. Jun.
      Completion of Anyang Plant
    2. Aug.
      Launch of Korea’s first probiotics fermented dairy product, “Yakult,”
      The start of door-to-door sales by Yakult ladies
  3. 1976
    1. May.
      Establishment of R&BD Center
  4. 1977
    1. Sep.
      Yakult daily sales exceed 1 million units for the first time
  5. 1978
    1. Mar.
      Awarded the Bronze Tower Industrial Medal on the 5th Commerce and Industry Day
    2. May.
      Held the 1st National Children’s Health Essay Contest
    3. Sep.
      Completion of Pyeongtaek Plant / Established a daily production capacity of 2 million units
  6. 1979
    1. May.
      Held the 1st International Symposium on Probiotics and Health
    2. Nov.
      Held the 1st National Student Science Invention Contest
  7. 1981
    1. Nov.
      R&BD Center officially recognized as Korea’s first corporate-affiliated research institute
  8. 1982
    1. Feb.
      Renamed the in-house volunteer group to “Sharing Hands of Love”
  9. 1985
    1. Jun.
      Completion of Nonsan plant
    2. Nov.
      Designated as the official supplier of probiotics fermented dairy products for the ’86 Asian Games and the ’88 Seoul Olympics

1986 - 1999

Establishing a Strong Foundation for
Growth and Innovation

Leveraging our technological expertise, we have built a solid base for continued growth.
  1. 1989
    1. May.
      Yakult daily sales surpass 5 million units
  2. 1995
    1. Apr.
      Completion of Cheonan Plant
    2. Jun.
      Completion of Giheung R&BD Center
    3. Dec.
      Developed and commercialized Korea’s first domestic probiotics strain
  3. 1996
    1. Jan.
      R&BD Center accredited as a national testing laboratory(KOLAS)
    2. May.
      Completion of Headquarters Building
  4. 1998
    1. Jun.
      Surpassed 10,000 Fresh Managers
    2. Oct.
      Ranked No. 1 in National Customer Satisfaction Index (NCSI) for milk & fermented dairy products
    3. Nov.
      R&BD Center received KOLAS accreditation for chemical testing
      R&BD Center received KOLAS accreditation for chemical testing

2000 - 2018

Advancing with
Focus and Determination

Taking bold steps forward to becoming the No. 1 probiotics company
  1. 2000
    1. Sep.
      Launched functional fermented dairy product for digestive health, “Probiotics Will”
  2. 2001
    1. Dec.
      Held “Sharing Kimchi” charity event
  3. 2004
    1. Sep.
      Launched functional fermented dairy product for liver health, “Kupffer's”
  4. 2005
    1. Jul.
      Launched organic fruit & vegetable juice, “HARU”
  5. 2006
    1. Mar.
      “Probiotics Will” officially certified by the Helicobacter Research Society
      “Probiotics Will” officially certified by the Helicobacter Research Society
  6. 2011
    1. Sep.
      Opened Korea Yakult HRD Center
  7. 2012
    1. Jan.
      Established Paldo Co., Ltd. after F&B distribution business separation
      Cheonan Factory acquired GMP certification for health functional foods
  8. 2014
    1. Aug.
      Launched “Reduce Sugar” campaign
    2. Dec.
      Introduced ride-on refrigerated electric carts(COCO)
  9. 2016
    1. Dec.
      Founded Korea Yakult Social Welfare Foundation
  10. 2017
    1. Feb.
      Completed Singal Logistics Center
    2. Jun.
      Launched fresh and convenient meal brand “eatsON”
  11. 2018
    1. Jan.
      Completed new Pyeongtaek Plant

2019 - The present

Another New Beginning with
Even Bolder AmbitionsAnother New Beginning
with Even Bolder Ambitions

With customer trust as our highest priority, we pursue our vision to become a global industry leader.
With customer trust as our highest priority, we pursue our vision to become a global industry leader.
  1. 2019
    1. Feb.
      Launched “Gut Care Project MPRO3”
    2. Mar.
      Changed door-to-door salesperson title from “Yakult ladies” to “Fresh Manager”
      Changed door-to-door salesperson title from “Yakult ladies” to “Fresh Manager”
  2. 2020
    1. Dec.
      Opened online mall “Fredit”
  3. 2021
    1. Mar.
      Changed company name from Korea Yakult to hy and introduced new corporate identity(CI)
    2. May.
      Launched B2B exclusive brand “hyLabs”
  4. 2023
    1. Jul.
      R&BD Center designated as an outstanding corporate research institute
    2. Aug.
      Completed Nonsan Logistics Center
    3. Dec.
      Completed new Nonsan Plant
  5. 2024
    1. Sep.
      Ranked No. 1 for 27 consecutive years in the National Customer Satisfaction Index(NCSI) for milk and fermented dairy products Exported “Probiotics Will”
  6. 2025
    1. Jan.
      Launched premium probiotics brand “BIOLIV”
    2. May.
      Launched sugar-free fermented dairy product “Yakult XO”