The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) said on the 4th that it held the opening ceremony for the 2025 Small and Medium Enterprises Convergence Expo at the Daejeon Convention Center (DCC).
The Small and Medium Enterprises Convergence Expo is regarded as a flagship festival that fosters a collaboration culture among small and medium-sized corporations by sharing innovation achievements through inter-corporation cooperation and exchanges and by honoring contributors. Marking its 12th year, this year's event was held under the theme "With convergence and innovation, opening the future of small and medium-sized corporations."
At the opening ceremony, the government presented a total of 20 awards to contributors who helped revitalize the regional economy through inter-corporation exchange, collaboration, and technology convergence, including one Order of Industrial Service Merit, Gold Tower; one Order of Industrial Service Merit, Silver Tower; two Industrial Service Medals; seven presidential citations; and nine prime ministerial citations.
Jimax Chief Executive Jeong Seong-u, who received the Order of Industrial Service Merit, Gold Tower, contributed to industrial development by developing and successfully commercializing new technologies such as interior and exterior materials, sound-absorbing materials, and adhesives in the automobile sector through open innovation and steady collaboration.
ATS Chief Executive Lee Jae-jin, recipient of the Order of Industrial Service Merit, Silver Tower, was recognized for creating five successful collaboration cases, including an eco-friendly, recyclable foldable export box, as a result of active support and efforts to promote collaboration among local small and medium-sized corporations during the tenure as head of the North Chungcheong federation.
The Industrial Service Medals went to Kortek Chief Executive Choi Ju-won and GFS Chief Executive Kim Hyeon-sik. Choi contributed to industrial development by applying a proprietary special surface treatment technology to parts for aerospace, defense, automobiles, and industrial machinery, while Kim was recognized for technological innovation in fire safety, including emergency guidance systems, fire alarm receivers, and detectors.
About 150 corporations took part in the event to exhibit products such as collaboration outcomes, and a "Scale-up IR Day" program was also held to support one-on-one investment mentoring by matching venture capital (VC) with corporations seeking to attract investment. In addition, various side programs were prepared, including an export consultation event inviting overseas buyers and a policy seminar on public rental-type Knowledge Industry Complexes.
Park Yong-sun, director general for small and medium enterprise policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), said, "A collaborative ecosystem that shares innovation while being consolidated and converged together is becoming a new competitive edge for small and medium-sized corporations," and added, "The government will also do its best to create an environment where small and medium-sized corporations can cooperate and take on challenges to their heart's content."