Pohang City Supports Small Business Online Expansion with Major Digital Platform Companies

Naver, Kakao, and Other Platform Companies Hold Win-Win Cooperation Workshop with Small Business Owners

Strengthening Capabilities for Digital Transformation and Growth into Entrepreneurial Small Business Owners

Mayor Lee Gang-deok: "We Will

On the 18th, Pohang City held a ‘Small Business Win-Win Cooperation Workshop’ together with leading platform companies such as Naver and Kakao to revitalize the local economy and strengthen the online advancement capabilities of small business owners.

On the 18th, Pohang City held an executive workshop to strengthen the capabilities of small business owners at Lahan Hotel.

The workshop, held at Lahan Hotel, was attended by about 250 executives from local small business-related organizations and was conducted under the theme of ‘Strengthening the Capabilities for Co-Growth of Small Businesses.’ Notably, experts leading Korea’s digital platforms participated, drawing significant attention.

On this day, a venue was provided for small business owners to cooperate and exchange ideas amid concerns of high inflation and low growth, helping them grow into entrepreneurial small business owners through digital transformation. Not only related organizations such as the Small Business Federation but also traditional markets and alleyway commercial district merchant associations participated, making it a time to encompass all small business owners in the region.

Additionally, during the event, plaques of appreciation were presented to 10 individuals, including executives from Good Price Stores, the Small Business Federation, the Small Enterprise Federation, the Small Business Council, and members of merchant associations such as Jukdo Market, who contributed to revitalizing the local economy and stabilizing prices.

Furthermore, at this workshop, major platform companies attracted attention by delivering various lectures aimed at strengthening the capabilities of small business owners.

Naver introduced a full-care system for the growth of small business owners through ‘Project Flower,’ which received much interest, while Kakao provided analysis and utilization cases of the widely used ‘KakaoTalk Channel,’ offering significant assistance.

Tmon introduced its win-win cooperation projects with small business owners, including online special exhibitions, Tmon Play (live commerce), product development, and integrated domestic and international sales channel support. Woowa Brothers (Baedal Minjok) presented practical ‘social sharing’ projects for small business owners, such as flood insurance, credit guarantee support, labor issue resolution support, O2O platform entry support, and Baemin Academy, which offers necessary education regardless of location or time.

At the end of the lectures, Theborn Korea received enthusiastic responses from participants by presenting directions for the development of traditional markets based on know-how for revitalizing Yesan Market.

In addition, public institutions such as the Small Enterprise and Market Service, Gyeongbuk Credit Guarantee Foundation, and Gyeongbuk Economic Promotion Agency introduced institution-specific support policies for local small business owners and traditional markets, facilitating convenience for small business owners.

This workshop was significant in that it went beyond simple financial support for small business owners and provided various methods utilizing technologies and data built by large capital, greatly helping to expand the sales channels and strengthen the capabilities of small business owners.

At the workshop, Pohang City also appealed for the 80,000 small business owners to join forces in establishing the POSTECH research-oriented medical school to realize bio-national prosperity.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok said, “I hope this workshop helped exchange a lot of information and strengthen cooperation among small business owners,” adding, “We will continue to strive to develop various support measures to strengthen the capabilities and protect the rights of small business owners.”