Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) and KT&G said on the 27th that they signed a "business agreement for activating social contribution and co-prosperity and development of local communities" on the 24th.
The agreement is a collaboration example that combines the public sector's policy support capability with the private sector's content planning and operations capability. The two organizations plan to build an integrated youth development system that links startup, mentoring, and cultural programs, rather than a one-off effort, and to contribute to revitalizing the local economy.
Through this agreement, the two organizations decided to actively cooperate in areas for strengthening youth capabilities, including ▲ promoting local consumption and revitalizing the local economy ▲ social contribution activities for co-prosperity and development of local communities ▲ fostering youth startup corporations ▲ cultural events and education.
In particular, by linking KOSME's Youth Startup Academy with KT&G's Sangsang Startup Camp, they plan to establish a support base for youth startups from preparation to commercialization. In addition, to invigorate local communities, they will jointly operate market-opening events such as flea markets.
As part of the agreement, KOSME held the "Youth, Play" concert cheering on young people at the KT&G Sangsang Planet on the 26th. The event was organized to ease the career uncertainty and startup burdens faced by young people, share various career transition cases, and help them gain motivation for new challenges.
At the event, K-pop lyricist Kim Hye-jung shared her experience transitioning her career from physical therapist to lyricist, conveying the possibilities of change and challenge. In addition, Kim Do-beom, director at Stastech and a young entrepreneur, introduced the difficulties and how they were overcome during the startup process, helping to lower the psychological barriers young people feel toward starting a business.
Kang Seok-jin, chair of KOSME, said, "The difficulties young people face these days often stem not from a lack of individual capability but from limits in the environment where they can access opportunities," adding, "KOSME will expand the environment where youth can take on challenges through cooperation with the private sector, and we will spare no support for community co-prosperity and fostering youth startups."