The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said on the 1st that it held a roundtable with young merchants at a restaurant near Kkaebi Market in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, listened to their difficulties, and discussed practical support measures.
The roundtable was presided over by First Vice Minister Noh Yong-seok of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and attended by a total of 12 people, including merchants in youth malls and young merchants in traditional markets, who conveyed firsthand the challenges they face on the ground and their policy suggestions.
In his greeting, Vice Minister Noh said, "The passion of young merchants is breathing new life into traditional markets," and added, "Rather than supporting youth malls as a unit, we will focus on support to enhance the entrepreneurial capabilities of individual young merchants so that they can break free from the limitations of the small space known as the youth mall and grow into core stores within traditional markets."
At the roundtable, a variety of opinions were presented, including: ▲ support such as consulting to strengthen self-sustainability ▲ improving educational access for young merchants in outlying areas ▲ reducing commission burdens ▲ expanding mentoring by senior young merchants. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to continue refining policies in ways that can enhance the self-sustainability and growth potential of young merchants.
Vice Minister Noh Yong-seok said, "We will continue to listen to voices from the field and stand as a reliable partner so that young merchants can grow into the drivers of vitality for traditional markets and local commercial districts."