Installation of 'Itaewon Small Business Owners and Self-Employed On-Site One-Stop Support Center'

On-site Consultation and Responses... Support for Commercial Area Revitalization

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Cheol-hyun] The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (Minister Lee Young) announced on the 16th that it has established an on-site one-stop support center for small business owners and self-employed individuals in Itaewon who are experiencing management difficulties due to the accident that occurred last October.

The one-stop support center is a joint effort by four organizations: the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Yongsan-gu, the Small Enterprise and Market Service, and the Seoul Credit Guarantee Foundation. Going forward, the center will provide on-site guidance on government and related agency support for small business owners and self-employed individuals facing management crises in Itaewon, offer consultations and responses regarding management difficulties and suggestions, and forward issues to the relevant agencies.

In addition, consultations on government policy funds such as emergency management stabilization funds for small business owners and disaster guarantees for small and medium enterprises will be provided. If additional funds are needed, applications and consultations for these will also be offered. In the mid to long term, the center will support commercial revitalization activities at the level of the Itaewon Merchants Association to help rebuild the Itaewon commercial district and assist in linking government and related agency projects. Certificates for disaster-affected small and medium enterprises (small business owners) can also be issued at the one-stop support center starting from the 19th.

Minister Lee Young stated, "The Ministry of SMEs and Startups will form a consultative body with related ministries to discuss the difficulties and suggestions received through the one-stop support center and jointly devise solutions to create practical measures."