Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's Seoul mayoral candidate, unveiled a pledge for "comprehensive support for microbusiness owners." The core is the largest-ever financial support for microbusiness owners and digital transition support for middle-aged and older self-employed people.
On the 13th, at his campaign camp in Gwancheol-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Oh announced his "comprehensive support for microbusiness owners" pledge. After the announcement, Oh met with officials from the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME) in Seoul and heard policy proposals, including the establishment of a Seoul-style microbusiness hub center.
Oh said he would expand the microbusiness policy fund from the current 2.4 trillion won to around 3 trillion won. He will also lower the interest burden on microbusiness owners from the current 1.9–3.1% to 1.7–2.9%.
He also plans to expand the "self-employed safety account," a negative-balance account dedicated to the self-employed, to 500 billion won, and extend the maturity of the low-interest "hope companion fund," which totals 300 billion won.
Oh also outlined customized support across the life cycle of microbusiness owners. The plan would provide financing and marketing counseling at each step across all stages of business, from startup and growth to closure and a second try.
Specifically, at the startup stage, support would be provided through the "Prep Academy," and after closure, the "Rise Again Project" would offer up to 2 million won in seed money for a second try, along with support such as industry diagnosis and marketing improvements.
Oh said, "The Prep Academy is mainly needed in the food and beverage sector, and it supports entrepreneurship from the beginner stage for those unfamiliar with food and beverage manufacturing," adding, "We will also support closure expense through loans and, at the second-chance stage, look for ways to bounce back through the middle-aged and older job training academy."
Among officials from the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME) in Seoul who met Oh, one said, "Microbusiness owners are entering an aging phase," and proposed, "Please establish microbusiness centers by zone across Seoul so a wide range of benefits can be provided without blind spots."
Another proposal said, "For microbusiness owners, AI and digital tools are not a choice but an essential tool for survival," adding, "It would be good to provide package training such as practical skills where technology permeates work and video production."
In response, Oh said, "We will provide tailored help not only to middle-aged and older microbusiness owners who are vulnerable to digital tools but also to all microbusiness owners with an online base," adding, "Through customized consulting with experts, we will provide up to 3 million won for digital management strategies or building online shopping malls."