Minister Han Seong-suk of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups visited small business owners as her first schedule after taking office. Minister Han noted, "I thought that real work can only begin by coming to the field, so I chose to visit traditional markets," adding, "The Ministry will take the lead in sharing the difficulties of small business owners and become a partner in creating opportunities."
On the 24th, Minister Han visited the Eunggu Alley Shopping Street in Yuseong District, Daejeon, where she held a tea time with representatives of merchants to listen to their on-site difficulties. She then expressed her commitment to making the promotion of consumption and support for the recovery of small businesses and traditional markets a top priority by visiting the Central Market Revitalization Zone in Dong-gu, Daejeon.
Merchants urged Minister Han for 'restoration of livelihoods.' Park Hwang-soon, president of the Central Market Revitalization Zone Merchants Association, said, "I hope that consumer coupons will invigorate traditional markets and small businesses," adding, "It should not end as a short-term event but should lead to a stable flow of customers, requiring the government's continued attention and policy support."
Lee Chung-hwan, president of the National Merchants Association who accompanied the schedule, said, "I hope the Ministry will become a strong support so that traditional markets and commercial districts across the country can regain vitality and change into spaces where the next generation can enter."
Minister Han said, "Traditional markets and alley shopping districts are the fields where small business owners and self-employed individuals are the main foundation of the local economy," and noted, "The government is establishing a systemic foundation that goes beyond short-term consumption promotion to help them stand again after the crisis." She added, "We will build a social safety net that allows merchants to trade with peace of mind and create a virtuous cycle of recovery and growth."
Minister Han also encouraged the promotion of consumer spending among the public. She stated, "Small consumer spending will gather to revive local commercial districts and become a force in restoring difficult livelihoods," and requested, "I urge many citizens to actively participate in wise consumption in vulnerable commercial areas, such as alley shopping districts and traditional markets, so that livelihood recovery consumer coupons can serve as a catalyst for revitalizing domestic demand and supporting small businesses."