The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea SMEs & Startups Distribution & Marketing Agency said on the 30th that they have finally selected two new implementing organizations for "Sodam Square," a digital commerce specialist institution that will lead the strengthening of digital self-reliance for small business owners.
The call for applications targeted non-capital regions that are relatively lacking in digital infrastructure. After verification through financial evaluation, on-site due diligence, and presentation reviews, two final regions with excellent support infrastructure and operational capacity for local small business owners were chosen. The two regions selected will open starting in Oct. after building studios and professional equipment and remodeling the spaces.
Sodam Square means "a space that contains the stories and products of small business owners," and is a regional hub for digital transformation (DX) that helps small business owners secure digital competitiveness amid a rapidly changing distribution environment. Seven locations nationwide (Seoul, Busan, Daegu, North Jeolla, Gangwon, Gwangju, North Chungcheong) are currently in operation.
The newly selected implementing organizations are Mokpo Munhwa Broadcasting and the South Chungcheong Business Agency in Cheonan. Mokpo Munhwa Broadcasting plans to build a sustainable commerce ecosystem for small business owners in South Jeolla by forming a consortium with the South Jeolla Information & Culture Industry Promotion Agency and Namdo Marketplace. It will remodel the first floor of the Mokpo Munhwa Broadcasting headquarters building and nearby commercial space to create a total area of 714㎡ and will introduce South Jeolla–style specialized programs, including tailored program support by digital competency level.
The South Chungcheong Business Agency, which will be responsible for taking local small business owners in South Chungcheong online, will collaborate with Baekseok University, Cafe24, and Lotte Shopping to build dedicated infrastructure totaling 715㎡ in Dujeong-dong, Cheonan. It will deploy specialized personnel, including expert faculty in related fields, IT specialists, and equipment-operation producers, to support small business owners on site, and will pursue branding of local resources such as Geumsan ginseng and Seocheon gamtae.
Each Sodam Square will be equipped with ◇ a state-of-the-art multi-studio ◇ a detail page editing room ◇ a digital marketing practical training room and shared offices. Any small business owner can use them free of charge.
Han Yuwon and Lee Taesik, co-CEOs, said, "With this new selection, momentum has been created for small business owners outside the capital area to be reborn as protagonists of the digital era," adding, "We will focus our capabilities so this leads to increased sales for small business owners and strengthened market competitiveness."