Minister nominee Lee So-young of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups said on the morning of the 31st, meeting reporters as she arrived for her first day at the personnel hearing preparation office set up in the Capital Region Evaluation Room of the Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA) in Yeouido, Seoul, "Beyond support policies for small and venture businesses, I will pour my capability and drive into easing unreasonable regulations with the mindset of a 'minister of regulatory reform.'"
Lee particularly emphasized that "in areas where new industries and existing industries collide, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) must play an active role."
Lee cited "dense and multilayered regulations" as the biggest challenge facing the venture and startup ecosystem. Lee said, "Even with new ideas and good business items, there are many cases where those ideas cannot be pursued because they are blocked by regulations," adding, "I want to drive changes in regulatory approaches that bury the ideas of ventures and startups and block their opportunities."
On small and midsize business policy, Lee stressed that the recent export boom led by large corporations should spread to small and midsize businesses. Lee said, "Small and midsize businesses are the backbone of the national economy," adding, "Recently, large export companies are enjoying an unprecedented boom, but the warmth of that shining boom should spread even to small and midsize businesses." Lee continued, "We will review the situation and prepare policy solutions."
Lee also emphasized that she directly understands the difficulties on the front lines for small merchants by mentioning her upbringing. Lee said, "As a child, I lived alone with my mother and have the experience of making ends meet by waiting for customers every day and taking delivery orders at the small restaurant my mother ran." She added, "Amid a rapidly changing self-employment environment, I will pursue creative ways to ease the hardships of small merchants."
Lee also said she received a directive from President Lee Jae-myung to play a role in the growth of small and midsize businesses, the opening of a national startup era for venture companies, and easing the hardships of small merchants.