Leaders of economic organizations representing domestic small and medium-sized enterprises and startups diagnosed through their '2025 New Year's statement' that "Korea has entered an era of uncertainty" and emphasized that they must overcome the crisis based on overseas expansion and innovation.
Kim Ki-moon, chairman of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises, projected next year as an 'era of uncertainty' but noted on the 31st that "Korean small and medium enterprises have created new opportunities through bold challenges even amid crises." He added that "I will focus policy efforts on revitalizing the people's economy next year and improving the structural problems of the Korean economy."
Kim noted, "As the uncertainty of the Korean economy persists, concerns are rising that the growth engine of manufacturing powerhouse Korea could stall with the overlapping issues of low birth rates, aging population, declining productivity, and the spread of economic nationalism," and emphasized, "I will do my utmost to improve the structural problems of the Korean economy, such as recovery of the people's economy, excessive gaps between large and small enterprises, and a decrease in the working-age population, support the globalization of small and medium-sized enterprises, and alleviate on-site regulations for small businesses and micro-enterprises." The small business community has selected 'Innaewoo (忍耐外揚),' which means 'overcoming difficulties with patience,' as the four-character idiom for projecting 2025. Kim stated, "No matter how great the hardships of reality may be, if we gather the 힘 (strength) and wisdom of small and medium enterprises, we can find a new path to growth."
Choi Jin-sik, chairman of the Korea Federation of Medium Enterprises, expressed, "The Korean economy is in crisis. This is no longer a claim but a reality" and pointed out, "It has been a long time since warning signs have sounded for exports, which have relied on semiconductors and automobiles, and the soaring prices are causing the people's livelihoods to collapse, even eating away at the domestic market foundation."
Choi continued, "We must effectively respond to the aggressive policy stance of the second Trump administration, which prioritizes the repeal of the Semiconductor Act and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and prevent declining industrial competitiveness through more challenging research and development investments," stressing, "I will take the lead in improving unreasonable laws and systems and promoting the substantive enhancement of the Medium Enterprises Act."
Sung Sang-yeop, chairman of the Venture Business Association, diagnosed, "The deepening uncertainty in domestic politics, the sustained high prices, interest rates, and exchange rates, along with the spread of economic nationalism caused by the Trump administration and changes in the trade environment, are making challenges for our venture businesses more difficult." He noted, "This era is calling for ventures again," emphasizing that "ventures have always been strong in crises, and each time the Korean economy faces significant difficulties—such as the Asian Financial Crisis, global financial crisis, and COVID-19—venture businesses have played an important role."
Sung also stated, "Considering the stagnant domestic market with low growth and consumption contraction, the globalization of venture businesses is a matter of survival, and they must prepare to go abroad from the startup stage," adding, "I will strengthen collaborative networks with private sector overseas innovation organizations and support agencies, actively promote the globalization of venture businesses through global investment attraction and overseas expansion programs." Sung continued, "We will work on securing liquidity in venture finance through the introduction of innovative venture finance systems, revitalization of the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market, and secondary funds, and focus on institutional improvements that hinder the innovation of venture businesses."
Park Chang-sook, chairwoman of the Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association, stated, "I will contribute to national economic development through the growth and leap of 3.26 million women-owned businesses," noting, "The association will support national economic development by fostering women-owned businesses and revitalizing the women's economy."
In particular, Chairwoman Park highlighted, "With the issues of low growth and low birth rates, women's economic participation and the fostering of women-owned businesses are becoming increasingly important," emphasizing the need for women-owned businesses to expand into overseas markets and discover promising startups. She stated, "We will expand export support infrastructure, focusing on women-specialized industries such as K-beauty and K-food, and expand networks through collaboration with overseas women's economic organizations," adding, "We will discover promising women startups and support them with stage-by-stage programs to cultivate them into global small and medium enterprises."