"330,000 Small Business Owners in Daegu Rely on Loans for Livelihood"... Daegu City Council Member Kim Jungok Urges Support Measures

Daegu City Council member Kim Jeongok (People Power Party, Proportional Representation) appealed for practical measures from Daegu City to support small business owners, highlighting their difficulties during a five-minute free speech at the 2nd plenary session of the 309th regular meeting held on the 24th.

Kim Jeongok stated, "There are 335,900 people working in small businesses in Daegu and 197,000 business establishments," and explained, "Due to the nature of these industries, which are small in scale and highly sensitive to economic fluctuations, small business owners have faced even greater challenges in recent years as external shocks such as COVID-19 and interest rate changes have occurred frequently."

Daegu City Councilor Kim Jeongok

Kim expressed concern, saying, "Many small business owners are barely sustaining their livelihoods through loans," and emphasized to Mayor Hong Joonpyo, "Daegu City must consider measures for small business owners who are at a crossroads of survival."

Kim further urged Daegu City to "identify areas where government support policies for small business owners fall short and prepare comprehensive support measures, review and improve existing commercial district revitalization projects, and provide various measures to help small business owners and traditional market merchants adapt to digital consumption trends and enhance their competitiveness through changes in perception."

Kim concluded by saying, "Small businesses are the capillaries of the economy and the foundation of the livelihoods of ordinary citizens," and requested "special attention and support from Daegu City so that small business owners can stand up again," wrapping up the remarks.