Ministry of SMEs and Startups Holds Inauguration Ceremony for '2030 Advisory Group'

Appointing 24 Young Individuals Including Startup Entrepreneurs, Research Institutions, and Students

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 25th that it held the inauguration ceremony for the "2nd Ministry of SMEs and Startups 2030 Advisory Group (hereinafter referred to as the 2030 Advisory Group)" at the Ministry's Eoullim Hall.

Since 2022, the Ministry has been operating the Youth Advisory Officers and the 2030 Advisory Group to expand youth participation in the policy-making process and to reflect the voices of young people in policies.

The 1st 2030 Advisory Group, whose term ended on the 14th, proposed innovative SME policies from the youth perspective over the past two years through advisory group meetings and policy field visits, including support measures for startups' global expansion and utilization of stock options for young employees in SMEs.

Today's event was organized to appoint the newly formed 2nd 2030 Advisory Group members and to discuss future plans for the operation of the advisory group.

At the appointment ceremony, Vice Minister Kim Seong-seop presented appointment letters to the young people selected for the 2030 Advisory Group. A total of 124 people applied for the 2nd 2030 Advisory Group, and after document and interview screenings, 24 young individuals active in various fields such as startup companies, research institutes, and students were finally selected.

The 2030 Advisory Group is divided into two subcommittees: SMEs and startups/small business owners, and will serve as a key channel conveying the perceptions of the younger generation on major policies of the Ministry during its one-year term.

Vice Minister Kim Seong-seop of the Ministry stated, "For SMEs and startups, the backbone of South Korea's economy, to grow, it is crucial to listen to the voices of the future generation, the youth," and added, "I hope you will actively present your opinions on the Ministry's policies with the sense of responsibility of representing the entire youth generation."

Lee Hwa-ryeong, the Youth Advisory Officer who will serve as the head of the group, said, "We will discuss various issues related not only to the SME sector but also to youth," and added, "We plan to actively consult with relevant departments to ensure that the policy suggestions discovered by the 2030 Advisory Group are not neglected."