Minister Han Seong-sook of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups said on the 2nd at the Korea Certified Public Labor Attorney Association, after meeting with small business owners, that the government would "create an environment where they can manage their businesses with peace of mind."
The Minister held a labor difficulties roundtable that day and announced government support measures to ease labor-management burdens for small business owners.
The roundtable brought together officials from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) working with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL), representatives from the Korea Certified Public Labor Attorney Association, and small business owners in the convenience store, restaurant, and cafe sectors. These are industries with high rates of short-term hires where labor-related disputes occur frequently. Participants shared difficulties they face in on-site labor management and discussed ways to improve.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) and the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) announced government support measures to address small business owners' labor difficulties. First, the MSS plans to work with the Korea Certified Public Labor Attorney Association to produce a Q&A casebook focusing on real-world cases small business owners encounter. Based on this, it will hold on-site briefings by region and produce and distribute online guidance videos such as content.
If labor disputes arise, the government also plans to operate a Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME) counseling center so small business owners can receive consultations. It will support consultations with dedicated labor-specialist attorneys and the appointment of representatives.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) introduced a "AI labor law consultation" service that individual small business owners can use 24 hours a day. To improve access for small business owners, it also plans to link the service with Small Business 24, the integrated platform for small business support programs.
Participants said that, because wage and allowance systems such as weekly holiday allowances and severance pay are complex, government-level consulting support is needed. They also proposed directions for institutional improvements.
Minister Han said, "When small business owners focus on their livelihoods day by day, it is hard to keep up with complex labor and employment laws," adding, "We will carry out the support measures released today without a hitch."