Broadcaster Hong Seok-cheon met President Lee Jae-myung and conveyed the difficulties that small business owners and self-employed people are experiencing.
On 14th, Hong attended the "Digital Talk Live" event that the president organized to hear a range of voices from the front lines of people's livelihoods and the economy.
The event proceeded as a discussion in which 110 citizen panelists focused on policy proposals in the livelihoods and economic fields submitted to the "People's Mailbox." Hong, representing the self-employed, sat in the seat right next to the president.
Taking the microphone, Hong began, "I didn't realize my seat was next to the president, and I got a bit nervous." He then joked, "It's been a while since I saw you, Mr. President, and you look very handsome," adding, "Not my type, though."
Hong also said, "Each administration seeks me out saying it wants to hear the stories and hardships of small business owners and the self-employed, but the results have been scant," adding, "This time, I hope we can see real results."
Hong advised that for traditional markets to be revitalized, parking must be convenient. "My parents ran a textile stall in a rural market for 40 years, so I know traditional markets better than anyone," he said. "It seems much improved and much better, but parking should be solved as the No. 1 priority."
He continued, "Traditional markets geographically occupy the most central spots in their neighborhoods. Those prime locations turn dark after 5 to 6 p.m.," adding, "Developing those markets with a night-market feel could be one approach."
Regarding the government's policy to forgive liabilities for vulnerable groups, Hong said, "It's good to erase liabilities, but there's also an equity issue, so wouldn't it be right to reward those who have repaid faithfully—say, by offering loans at a 0.5% interest rate and giving them compensation?"
On policies related to the self-employed, he said, "There are plenty of policies for full-time employees and part-timers, but it's been a long time since owners became the weak side, and there's no department that listens to their ordeals," adding, "Consider this a little tattling." When Hong then asked, "My life's safe, right?" the president laughed and said, "I told you you're not my type—stop it."
Hong said, "The problem is the tourism budget going down to the regions," noting, "Two hundred mural villages, 150 suspension bridges, and even cable cars—all cut from the same mold." He added, "It feels like one particular contractor does every project nationwide. Even if 20% of that money went to local creators, they would do a much better job."
President Lee responded, "That was a major topic at yesterday's senior secretaries' meeting," adding, "Growing the cultural industry is a core project of this administration." He said, "We need to leverage regional characteristics and build competitiveness."
Hong entered the restaurant business in 2002. He once ran about 10 restaurants around Itaewon in Seoul and found success, but he is known to have closed his stores due to the coronavirus crisis and health reasons.