[2020 National Audit] Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise “No Win-Win Agreement with Starfield Anseong”…Calls for Explanation

Small and Medium Business Research Institute, Federation of Small and Medium Business./Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] The Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise Associations (KFMEA) stated on the 26th, “Lim Young-rok, CEO of Shinsegae Property, recently testified as a witness at the National Assembly audit, claiming that Starfield Anseong Branch had reached a win-win agreement with KFMEA, but this is not true.”

KFMEA released a statement on the same day, saying, “In the case of a win-win agreement, internal procedures within the federation must be followed, but in the case of Starfield Anseong Branch, there has been no consultation with any branch of the federation,” and urged, “CEO Lim should take responsibility for his remarks.”

They continued, “Regarding the ongoing invasion of small business districts by large corporations, a proper commercial district impact assessment must be conducted before granting store opening permission,” emphasizing, “Along with expanding traditional commercial preservation zones, it is necessary to amend the Distribution Industry Development Act to change large-scale store registration from a registration system to a permit system.”

Earlier, during the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups held by the National Assembly’s Industry, Trade, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee, People Power Party lawmaker Choi Seung-jae stated, “CEO Lim testified at the Ministry of Industry’s comprehensive audit on the 22nd, explaining the justification for Starfield’s entry by claiming a win-win agreement with KFMEA,” adding, “Upon verification, Shinsegae Property has no record of a win-win agreement with KFMEA. It was confirmed that the agreement was made with another small business association, not the legally recognized KFMEA.”