Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME) said on the 31st that it selected the surpassing of 1 million closed businesses, government efforts to boost consumption through consumption coupons for livelihood recovery, the creation of a dedicated Vice Minister for micro enterprises at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and opposition to a 4.5-day workweek, among others, as the "top 10 micro enterprise news of 2025."
The federation first picked the government's consumption stimulus through consumption coupons for livelihood recovery and the win-win payback program as major news. The Lee Jae-myung administration provided consumption coupons worth a total of 13.9 trillion won to revive depressed neighborhood commercial districts. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) encouraged spending through the win-win payback program, and, helped by this, the micro enterprise business outlook index came in at 90.7 in November. It was a record high since 2023.
The creation of a dedicated Vice Minister to strengthen the control tower for micro enterprise policy was also major news. The federation assessed, "The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) created a dedicated second Vice Minister post for micro enterprises, supplementing the policy framework that had remained incomplete since the enactment of the Micro Enterprise Basic Act."
A record-large budget allocation and an expansion of the sales criteria for micro enterprises were also included in the top 10 news. The 2026 micro enterprise budget was set at a record 5.4 trillion won. Reflecting inflation, the sales criteria by industry for micro enterprises were raised for the first time in 10 years, up to a maximum of 14 billion won.
Opposition from micro enterprises to the push for a 4.5-day workweek was also major news. The federation launched a 1 million-signature campaign opposing a reduction in working hours without abolishing the weekly holiday allowance, in response to the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL)'s push for a 4.5-day workweek.
Structural challenges such as the risk of closures and a surge in loan arrears rates were also selected as major news. As of 2024, the number of closed businesses exceeded 1 million for the first time, and the outstanding balance of loans to the self-employed reached 1,072 trillion won, a record high. In particular, arrears rates surged among those in their 20s and small establishments, raising concerns that polarization within self-employment could become entrenched.
Song Chi-young, head of the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME), said, "In 2025, the government's strong will to overcome the crisis and the earnest voices of micro enterprises were reflected in policy," and added, "We will do our best to make 2026 a year of full-fledged economic recovery and restoration of the rights of micro enterprises through solidarity and unity."