The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) said on the 31st that it held the 2025 Korea Small Business Owners Conference at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. About 2,500 people attended the event, including small business owners from across the country by region and industry, as well as participants in the skills competition.
Marking its 20th year, the Korea Small Business Owners Conference is the largest festival for small business owners held annually to raise their social and economic standing and to promote communication and unity among them. This year's event, under the slogan "Small business owners opening today, Korea connecting tomorrow," was organized to honor the efforts and achievements of small business owners and to explore new directions for growth.
This year's conference runs for two days from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, featuring a variety of programs such as a skills competition, expo, and seminars. In the skills competition hosted by the Korea Outdoor Advertising Association Central Association, the Korea Bakers Association, the Korea Makeup Beauty Association, the Korea Florists Association, and the Korea Culinary Master Craftsmen Association, about 1,540 small business owners nationwide will showcase technologies in categories including advertising production, baking, makeup, flower wreaths, and cooking by institutional sector.
On-site, practical support such as legal and tax counseling and collaboration consulting will also be provided. The seminar program will feature the latest makeup trends on day one, and outdoor advertising production and a personal color lecture on day two.
A range of special exhibition halls is also prepared at the venue. Visitors can check out the "Small Manufacturers Special Hall," which recreates a lacquerware master's studio with a motion-capture robot, as well as the "K-beauty Hall" of "Dugeun Dugeun," a permanent overseas beauty store that recently opened its second location in Bangkok, Thailand, and is leading overseas market access for small business owners. Programs open to the general public include makeup demonstrations, florist bouquet sales, an exhibition of outstanding outdoor advertising works, and customized scalp shampoo making.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) presented 21 government awards and 126 ministerial commendations to contributors to the development of small businesses. This year's Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit went to Seo Dae-ho, head of Seojin General Construction Equipment. Seo was recognized for introducing energy-saving construction techniques and continuing social contribution activities such as free boiler inspections. The Steel Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit was awarded to Yang Yeon-suk, head of Hantangang Keunjip, for contributions to inter-industry cooperation and revitalization of the local economy.
Minister Han Seong-sook of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) said in congratulatory remarks, "7.9 million small business owners are the backbone of our economy and the roots of local communities," adding, "We will do our utmost to strengthen the safety net so that small business owners can continue to take on challenges and to create an environment in which they can grow."