SBC "Legal Consultation for Closed Small Business Owners, Support for Personal Bankruptcy and Rehabilitation Processes"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Small Enterprise and Market Service announced on the 23rd that they will provide legal consultation and support for personal bankruptcy and rehabilitation for small business owners who have closed or are planning to close their businesses.

This policy aims to resolve issues such as commercial lease conflicts during the closure process, tax burdens caused by omissions in closure and tax reporting faced by small business owners. This year, support for personal bankruptcy and rehabilitation has been added to assist small business owners in debt adjustment who are experiencing management crises or threats to livelihood due to debt.

Legal consultation support involves professional lawyers visiting small business owners directly to provide face-to-face advice on legal issues arising during the closure or recovery process. Remote consultation is also available upon the applicant's request.

The scope of consultation includes ▲ legal advice and counseling ▲ interpretation of laws and provision of administrative services ▲ preparation of legal documents, with support provided once per year for the same issue per applicant, and no separate self-pay fee is required.

Support for personal bankruptcy and rehabilitation assigns a professional lawyer on a one-on-one basis who conducts initial counseling and document review, and if the applicant is deemed eligible, supports the process up to filing for bankruptcy or rehabilitation at the competent court.

Small business owners can apply online from 9 a.m. on the 26th through the Hope Return Package website. Applicants must submit business registration certificates or closure certificates proving their status as small business owners, along with documents verifying sales and regular employees.

Small business owners residing in Seoul who apply for personal bankruptcy or rehabilitation must additionally submit a resident registration certificate and the 'Seoul Financial Welfare Counseling Center Connection Application Form.'

Detailed project explanations and application methods can be obtained through the Small and Medium Business Integrated Call Center at 1357 without an area code.