Choi Jin-sik, president of the Federation of Middle Market Enterprises of Korea (FOMEK), in his "2026 New Year's address" on the 29th, stressed a "great rearrangement" across industries as a solution to accelerate long-term "real growth." Choi said, "We must strengthen representative competitiveness by field and industry so that large corporations act like large corporations, and middle market and small companies also secure growth bases that match their capabilities and economic and social needs."
Choi said, "Both approaches—squeezing others out of the market just because one has grown larger, or indefinitely maintaining a monopoly without innovation—undermine a corporation's growth potential and consumer benefits," adding, "We must form an invincible fleet composed of top sharpshooters in each field who will compete in the global market, based on autonomous cooperation among corporations." He went on to say, "We must actively support efficient business restructuring through the AI great transformation (AX) to strengthen industrial diversity."
Looking back on 2025, the first year of his second term, Choi said he delivered middle market policy proposals to the Presidential Committee on Policy Planning ahead of the launch of the government and strengthened communication with the National Assembly and relevant ministries, working to create institutional and policy conditions to support the growth of middle market companies.
Choi said, "Amid a complex crisis of rising protectionism, supply chain instability, high interest rates and a strong dollar, the climate crisis, and low birthrates and an aging population, it is time for middle market companies to lead the future growth engines that excite the world—including traditional manufacturing as well as K-semiconductors, defense, bio, beauty, food, and content—and to play a central role in Korea's economy."
Choi also said, "We will communicate even more closely with the government and the National Assembly to ease the management burden on middle market companies, and spread a rational perception of corporations to boost the pride of middle market companies," adding, "We will make a tangible contribution to the development of Korea's economy and industry as a hub for exchange and cooperation that embraces the entire middle market sector."