Ryu Jin, Chairman of Hankyung Association, "The Jeong Ju-young Myth Also Started at a Rice Shop"... First Business of the New Year, Win-Win with Small Business Owners

'Small Business Growth Support' Business Agreement with Sojinkong
'Warmth Campaign' to Boost Domestic Demand Underway

The Korea Economic Association announced on the 7th that it signed a "Business Agreement for Strengthening Competitiveness and Growth Support of Small Business Owners" with the Small Enterprise and Market Service. To revive the frozen domestic market and the Korean economy, support for small business owners was selected as the first project of the year, and Chairman Ryu personally visited the site.

Ryu Jin, Chairman of the Korea Economic Association (left), and Park Seong-hyo, President of the Small Enterprise and Market Service, attended the Small Business Growth Support Agreement Ceremony held on the 7th at the FKI Tower in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, and took a commemorative photo after signing the agreement. Photo by Korea Economic Association

The signing ceremony held in the morning at the FKI Tower in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul was attended by Ryu Jin, Chairman of the Korea Economic Association, Park Seong-hyo, Chairman of the Small Enterprise and Market Service, and other officials from both organizations.

The two organizations announced plans to launch the "Ongi (On氣) Campaign" centered on member companies and the economic community to inject warmth into the domestic economy and support small business owners.

Chairman Ryu said, "Amid increasing economic and social difficulties, the damage to small business owners is growing, and I judged that attention and support from all sectors are more urgent than anything else. Therefore, we decided to make support for small business owners the first project of the Korea Economic Association this year."

He added, "We will work together with related organizations such as the Small Enterprise and Market Service to restore the growth ladder for small business owners."

Ryu Jin, Chairman of the Korea Economic Association, is experiencing a Korean traditional confectionery store at Woori Market in Daerim-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on the 7th. Photo by Korea Economic Association

Chairman Ryu also emphasized the importance of small business owners in our economy by mentioning the rice store Gyeongil Sanghoe founded by the late Chung Ju-yung, Honorary Chairman of Hyundai Group.

He said, "Chairman Chung's legend started at the neighborhood rice store, Gyeongil Sanghoe, and many global companies' histories were born from small business owners. Discovering and nurturing capable small business owners is an essential project for national economic development."

After the signing ceremony, Chairman Ryu visited the traditional market "Uri Market" in Daerim-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu with executives from both organizations, held a meeting with small business owners, and discussed cooperation plans.

They plan to purchase food ingredients such as rice, fruits, and vegetables at Uri Market and deliver them to the Seoul Restart Support Center, a rehabilitation shelter and free meal service for the homeless near Seoul Station and Yeongdeungpo Station.

The Korea Economic Association stated, "We plan to carry out an economic community campaign that practices coexistence with small business owners and shares with neighbors in need."