[Manbo Jeongdam] Kim Ki-moon Walking Morning and Evening... The Self-Management of the Four-Term 'Jungtongryeong'

Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs
"Healing When Returning to Nature"
"No Conflict or Division During Election Seasons"
Focus on 52-Hour Workweek Reform
Fundraising for Win-Win Cooperation Between Large and Small Businesses

Editor's Note'Manbo Jeongdam (萬步情談)' is a segment within the 'One Day Ten Thousand Steps, One Day One Thousand Characters' campaign, featuring interviews with notable figures who love walking. The interviews are conducted while walking together, discussing topics such as work, life, health, and happiness.

'A businessman once told me that after achieving a certain level of success, many entrepreneurs strive to become the Chairman of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business (KSMB). The main attraction of this position is the 'Vice Prime Minister-level protocol.' For example, you don’t have to wait in line at the airport; you sit in a separate lane, and someone else handles the procedures for you. This preference for 'protocol' goes beyond practical merchant instincts.'

This excerpt is from , written in 2018 by writer Moon Yoo-seok, a former presiding judge at the Seoul Central District Court. He pointed out that our society’s obsession with status is severe, beyond money and practicality, using the KSMB chairman position as an example. A surprising development occurred in the recent election for the KSMB chairman, a coveted role among leading small and medium enterprise (SME) representatives. Last month, incumbent Chairman Kim Ki-moon ran unopposed and was unanimously elected by approximately 300 electors. Having been elected as the 23rd, 24th, 26th, and now the 27th chairman, he set records as the first to be elected four times through popular vote and for the longest tenure (16 years).

Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business, went for a walk in Yeouido Park in front of his office where cherry blossoms were blooming. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

On the 23rd, at Yeouido Park in Seoul, we conducted an interview with Chairman Kim while walking along a cherry blossom-lined path. With the arrival of spring, his new four-year term began once again. When asked about the secret to his consecutive re-elections, he said, "I think I earned trust by listening to and trying to resolve as many difficulties and requests from businesspeople as possible." The Vice Prime Minister-level protocol is not given without reason. He explained, "Compared to other heads of economic organizations, I work at least ten times harder," revealing that the position is more demanding than it appears. "I carry the burden of listening to the voices of 7.29 million SME owners who form the backbone of our economy and reflecting their concerns in government policy alternatives." Even before and after the outdoor interview, Chairman Kim was receiving visitors in his office by the minute.

"The work of the KSMB chairman seems endless. I have to think all day long and provide answers that visitors want during consultations. Honestly, there are many times when I feel tired and exhausted." To soothe his weary body and mind, nature is his refuge. He said, "I feel most healed when I return to nature." On evenings without appointments, he watches the news and goes to bed early. He wakes up around 4:30 a.m., reads the newspaper, and heads to Seoul Forest near his home for morning exercise starting at 6 a.m. "I walk for about 40 to 50 minutes in the morning. If I walk slowly, I get 6,000 to 7,000 steps; if I walk fast, 8,000 to 9,000 steps. I deliberately avoid reaching 10,000 steps to prevent post-lunch drowsiness. After work, in the evening, I ask to be dropped off near Seongsu Bridge or Yeongdong Bridge and walk for about 20 minutes." He does not waste his walking time either. He makes calls or sends messages to staff giving work instructions. With accumulated experience and know-how, they understand each other without lengthy explanations.

Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business / Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

About once every two months, he meets friends with whom he can share a casual drink of soju and conversation. He feels comfortable when meeting friends unconditionally to share daily life rather than for a specific purpose. "Mostly friends I met through society. Some are sons of wealthy families, others are salaried CEOs (laughs)." Chairman Kim described himself as "honest," saying, "I don’t exaggerate or lie much." He added, "I don’t easily give my heart to insincere people," and confessed, "Having met many people, I have sometimes been deceived and disappointed."

Two weeks ago, he accompanied President Yoon Seok-yeol on his visit to Japan. He said, "After the rain in Tokyo, cherry blossoms were in full bloom along the streets." Sunshine also broke through the gloomy clouds over Korea-Japan economic relations. The bright expressions of Japanese businesspeople he met then are still vivid in his mind. Chairman Kim said, "Until now, Japanese businesspeople wanted to trade with Korea but were cautious because of the government. The high technological capabilities of Japan’s long-established companies are something our SMEs should learn from."

Unexpectedly, Chairman Kim, nicknamed 'Jungtongryeong' (literally 'SME President') for his consecutive victories in KSMB elections, said, "We need to reconsider electing heads of economic organizations through elections." The KSMB is the only one among the five major economic organizations that elects its chairman by vote. The election often becomes overheated with multiple candidates, causing conflicts within the SME community. He said, "I thought conflicts and divisions should not arise during elections," and suggested, "There could be ways to endorse one candidate or appoint the senior vice chairman as the next chairman." He emphasized that the SME community is not a group competing for regime creation like political parties but should unite as one.

Recently, SMEs have voiced a unified opinion on the revision of working hours. It is true that SMEs, which must meet delivery deadlines, find it difficult to comply with the 52-hour workweek in reality. Although the government has shown inconsistency regarding the revision plan, Chairman Kim said, "I hope the original framework will be maintained." He made it clear that there will be no so-called 'free labor' as mentioned by MZ unions. He explained, "If labor and management do not agree, extending working hours is impossible," adding, "Because it is difficult to find manpower, employers cannot force workers to work."

To strengthen win-win cooperation between large and small-medium enterprises, Chairman Kim plans to establish a 'Joint Business Support Fund' starting this year, with a target amount of 100 billion KRW. To encourage contributions from large corporations and financial institutions, a 10% corporate tax deduction and a designated donation expense recognition system have been introduced. Finally, when asked about his most respected figure, he gave a straightforward answer: "While visiting various sites, I realized truly admirable people are hidden. Those who quietly do their work in SMEs, whether small or large, are the most respectable." It felt like an answer befitting the 'Jungtongryeong.'