'2022 Small and Medium Businesspersons Conference' Held on the 25th
President Yoon Encourages Entrepreneurs While Moving Around Tables
"Communication and Harmony" "Gained Strength" "A Festival Venue"
[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Bo-kyung, Kim Jong-hwa, Kwak Min-jae] The 'Small and Medium Business Owners Conference' attended by President Yoon Seok-yeol was reportedly held in a consistently warm and friendly atmosphere. Small and venture business owners who attended the event unanimously said that President Yoon's "unpretentious and approachable demeanor was impressive."
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Federation of SMEs held the '2022 Small and Medium Business Owners Conference' on the afternoon of the 25th at the lawn plaza of the Presidential Office building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Marking its 33rd year, this event was the first economic organization event held at the Presidential Office building since the new government took office.
About 550 people attended, including President Yoon, Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs, Lee Jeong-han, President of the Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association, Kang Sam-kwon, Chairman of the Korea Venture Business Association, Oh Se-hee, President of the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise, as well as heads of the five major conglomerates and businesspeople.
For the first time in the history of the Small and Medium Business Owners Conference, a pledge ceremony for the revitalization of the Korean economy through fairness and coexistence between large and small businesses was held. Key heads of small and venture business organizations and the heads of the five major conglomerates including Samsung and SK participated in a hand-printing ceremony together.
Lee Jeong-han, President of the Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association, said, "It was an occasion that created an atmosphere encouraging businesspeople to work with vigor," adding, "Small business owners had a chance to communicate and harmonize by talking with representatives of large companies they do business with."
Regarding President Yoon, he said, "He created a comfortable atmosphere where businesspeople could speak freely," and "It was heartwarming to see him taking photos at each of the 60 or so tables and attentively listening to every word from the businesspeople."
Kang Sam-kwon, Chairman of the Korea Venture Business Association, said, "It was a barrier-free event," and "It was the first time to see such a president and such an event." He added, "President Yoon went around every table communicating and encouraging businesspeople," and "He also said, 'Yongsan is always open, so it would be good to communicate and talk anytime.'"
He further said, "It was very encouraging that he mentioned not only support for small business owners but also R&D investment plans for IT and venture companies," and "I definitely felt that this government is different, which gave me strength."
Song Gong-seok, Director of the Korea Bathroom Materials Industry Cooperative, who attended the event, said, "The atmosphere was very warm and friendly," explaining, "It was a scene not seen at events attended by previous presidents. The president personally went around dozens of tables shaking hands and taking photos."
He added, "In a word, it was a festival. The attendees unanimously said it was 'something unprecedented in history.'"
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