"Financially Marginalized Support" SK Miso Finance, 30,000 Loans in 11 Years... Total 345.8 Billion Won

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] The SK Miso Finance Foundation, established with contributions from SK Telecom and other SK Group affiliates to support the self-reliance of financially marginalized groups, has reached 30,000 loan beneficiaries. Since its establishment in December 2009, the total loan support has amounted to 345.8 billion KRW.

According to the SK Miso Finance Foundation on the 3rd, the 30,000th loan recipient is Beomseok Kim, who sells and rents electric scooters and wheelchairs for the disabled. Operating a medical device sales and rental store called Bokji Research Institute, he faced business difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, while seeking small business policy funds, learned about Miso Finance. Consequently, he received 12 million KRW in vulnerable group self-reliance funds from the SK Miso Finance Foundation Gwanak branch.

Mr. Kim said, “In a situation where sales sharply declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I feel reassured to have met Miso Finance, which provides funds at low interest rates,” and pledged, “I will use the support funds for the necessary purposes of running the store and repay them faithfully.”

Over the past 11 years, most of the financially marginalized groups supported through SK Miso Finance have been livelihood-type small business owners and self-employed individuals. Lee Hyunghee, Chairman of the SK Miso Finance Foundation, said, “SK Miso Finance exists to support the self-reliance of financially marginalized groups. It is moving to have 30,000 loan recipients in 11 years,” and added, “In the current difficult situation for self-employed businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the monsoon season, we will continue to strive to provide practical help to more financially marginalized groups.”

The SK Miso Finance Foundation, together with SK Telecom and other SK ICT family companies, is also operating various small business support programs. To help small business owners struggling due to COVID-19, they are providing the store operation solution package ‘Sajangnim Ansim Gyeongyeong Pack’ free of charge and are conducting an essay contest for small business owners called ‘Our Store Happiness Challenge.’