The need for continuous regulatory reform for marginal small businesses is essential." (Choi Seung-jae, Small and Medium Business Ombudsman)
"The voices of small businesses must be reflected in actual government policies to open their pathways for growth." (Song Chi-young, president of Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME))
On the 19th, the Small and Medium Business Ombudsman and the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME) held a joint meeting on regulatory improvements for small businesses with representatives of industry-specific organizations at the digital education center of the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME) in Mapo, Seoul.
Attending the meeting were Ombudsman Choi Seung-jae, along with Lee Han-hyung, the head of the Ombudsman Support Team, and about 10 officials responsible for regulatory improvements from the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Ministry of Environment, and the Food and Drug Administration. The Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME) was represented by President Song Chi-young and over 20 representatives from organizations such as the Korea Supermarket Cooperative Federation, the Korea Taxi Association, and the Korea Lodging Business Association.
During the meeting, 56 regulatory improvement tasks requested by the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME) and other organizations were discussed, including ▲ expanding the usage locations of the small business Onnuri gift certificate ▲ expanding the coverage for small business fire insurance membership ▲ enacting a law to promote fair competition on platforms.
The federation requested, "Please include traditional markets and alley-type shopping streets as well as small business business sites in the application of the Onnuri gift certificate."
In response, the ombudsman explained the position of the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups, stating that expanding it to all small businesses is not easy considering the purpose of introducing the Onnuri gift certificate for revitalizing traditional markets, saying, "The usage locations of the Onnuri gift certificate are gradually expanding, including adding alley-type shopping streets to the Traditional Market Law, and we will continue to conduct discussions."
Regarding the request to expand the coverage of fire insurance membership beyond traditional markets to include shopping streets and alley businesses, the ombudsman explained, "The Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups recently indicated its intention to include shopping streets as part of the fire insurance membership, and related legislation has also been submitted to the National Assembly."
On the proposal for establishing and amending regulatory legislation to eradicate monopolistic and unfair practices of some platforms, he stated, "Since the 22nd National Assembly convened, a bill to prevent recurrence has been introduced; however, it is currently stalled at the examination stage in the standing committee," and emphasized, "It is necessary to legislate quickly, and various discussions are underway in the National Assembly and among government agencies."
Topics of interest to promote the management of small businesses, such as "long-term installment repayment of small business policy funds" and "establishing a special law to support small business personnel," were also discussed.
Ombudsman Choi Seung-jae said, "For the requests that were not addressed immediately among the topics discussed today, we will continue to engage in discussions with government agencies," adding, "It is more important than ever for small businesses to make efforts to innovate management to enhance competitiveness and productivity. However, when faced with difficulties, please feel free to knock on the door of the ombudsman at any time."
Song Chi-young, president of the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME), stated, "Complex and unreasonable regulations are obstacles hindering the growth of small businesses," and emphasized, "We will actively gather voices from the field and focus on identifying and improving regulations for the growth of small businesses together with the Small and Medium Business Ombudsman." He also stressed, "We will establish ongoing cooperative channels with the government and related organizations to create a regulatory improvement environment that small businesses can feel."