"For Korea to leap into the 'three major AI powers,' we must build an AI Semiconductor ecosystem where cooperative division of labor among small and midsize enterprises, startups, and large corporations is possible."
The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises held the '2026 New Year gathering of SME people' at KBIZ in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 13th. About 350 key figures from the business community, the government, the National Assembly, and related organizations, including SMEs nationwide, attended the event, pledging a dynamic leap forward for the Korean economy in the new year.
Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises Chairman Kim Ki-moon said in a New Year's address, "Welcoming the Year of the Red Hare returning after 60 years, we must make 2026 a year of major economic takeoff," adding, "As we enter a new turning point with the AI revolution, policies must be prepared that allow SMEs to participate broadly, and we must strengthen the foundation of mutual growth where large corporations and SMEs grow together."
Kim also emphasized the "growth for all" mentioned by President Lee Jae-myung. Kim said, "Korea's flagship industries—automobiles, semiconductors, mobile phones, and shipbuilding—require tens of thousands of parts for their products, and most of those parts are made by SMEs," adding, "'Growth for all' is possible when we can all share in the results created jointly by large corporations and SMEs." Kim added, "We must usher in a golden age for SMEs."
Leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties and vice-minister-level officials from government ministries, including National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, attended the event, signaling political and government interest in and solidarity with SMEs despite difficult economic conditions.
From the business community, Korea Enterprises Federation Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik, Korea International Trade Association Chairman Yoon Jin-sik, the chairmen of the five major financial holding companies including KB, Shinhan, and Woori, heads of SME organizations, and young SME leaders attended.
From the government, Ministry of SMEs and Startups Minister Han Seong-sook, Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) Minister Kim Young-hoon, Economic, Social and Labor Council Chairperson Kim Ji-hyeong, Korea Fair Trade Commission Chairperson Ju Biung-ghi, Ministry of Intellectual Property Minister Kim Yong-seon, National Tax Service Commissioner Lim Gwang-hyeon, and Public Procurement Service Commissioner Baek Seung-bo attended, along with the ambassadors to Korea from China, Vietnam, and the UAE.
From the National Assembly, attendees included Speaker Woo Won-shik; Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae; People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok; Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk; Trade. Industry Energy. SMEs. and Startups Committee Chairperson Lee Cheol-gyu; and lawmakers Cho Bae-sook, Seo Young-kyo, Park Sung-min, Kang Seung-gyu, Kim Won-i, Bae Hyun-jin, Oh Se-hee, Moon Dae-rim, Han Min-su, Song Jae-bong, Park Ji-hye, Choi Bo-yoon, and Park Jun-tae.
The event featured New Year deokdam by the National Assembly speaker and government and business leaders, the screening of a video capturing SMEs' hopes and challenges, a rice cake cake-cutting ceremony, and a congratulatory performance singing of New Year hopes, delivering a message of hope for the year.