A Total of 7.5 Billion KRW in SME Development Fund Loans
(4.5 Billion KRW in Regular Loans, 3 Billion KRW in Bank Cooperation Funds),
29.5 Billion KRW in Seongdong-type Special Credit Guarantee Loan Support
Applications for SME Development Fund Accepted Until February 28
District Fund Offers 1.5% Interest, 1-Year Grace Period, 3-Year Equal Installment Repayment
Bank Cooperation Funds Provide 1% Annual Interest Support
Special Credit Guarantee Loans Offer Up to 50 Million KRW for Businesses Without Outstanding Foundation Loans
Practical Support Expected for Stable Business Management
Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeong Wono) will provide loans totaling 37 billion KRW this year to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small business owners facing management difficulties due to high interest rates and economic recession.
The loan support consists of 7.5 billion KRW from the SME Development Fund, including 4.5 billion KRW in regular loans and 3 billion KRW in bank cooperation funds, and 29.5 billion KRW in Seongdong-type special credit guarantee loan support.
The application period for loans from the SME Development Fund is from February 10 to 28. The district fund offers an interest rate of 1.5%, with a loan period of 4 years (1 year grace period, 3 years equal installment repayment), and the bank cooperation funds provide interest support of 1% per annum (based on commercial bank interest rates).
Eligible applicants are SMEs or small business owners with their main office or factory located in Seongdong-gu. SMEs can receive up to 200 million KRW, and small business owners up to 100 million KRW (within one-fourth of sales). However, businesses that are temporarily closed or shut down, credit delinquents, those prohibited from guarantees, and restricted industries are not eligible to apply.
Applicants wishing to apply for loans should bring required documents such as the loan application form, business plan, and business registration certificate, visit the Credit Guarantee Foundation or banks such as Shinhan, KEB Hana, Woori, or IBK for prior consultation, and then apply in person at the Seongdong-gu Office Regional Economy Division. Detailed information is available on the Seongdong-gu Office website under the notices and announcements section.
Since last year, the district has been operating the ‘Seongdong-type Special Credit Guarantee Loan’ worth 52.5 billion KRW. Of this, 23 billion KRW has been supported, and this year the remaining guarantee limit of 29.5 billion KRW will be provided. The loan period with cooperation funds from Shinhan, Woori, and Hana banks is 4 years (1 year grace period, 3 years equal installment repayment), and the district supports interest up to 1.5% per annum (based on commercial bank interest rates), allowing loans at a variable interest rate in the 2% range. The loan application period is until funds are exhausted.
Eligible applicants are SMEs or small business owners with their main office or factory registered in Seongdong-gu for more than 6 months. Businesses without outstanding loans at the Credit Guarantee Foundation can apply and receive up to 50 million KRW within the guarantee issuance limit. Collateral is only accepted in the form of a credit guarantee certificate from the Seoul Credit Guarantee Foundation.
Applicants should bring the representative’s ID card, a copy of the business registration certificate, sales report documents, and other required documents, visit the Seoul Credit Guarantee Foundation Seongdong branch for prior consultation and application submission.
Jeong Wono, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “We hope that the SME Development Fund loan support project will provide practical help to protect local businesses and stabilize business management amid the complex crisis of economic recession and high interest rates.” He added, “We will continue to promote quality support policies that can lead to the development of SMEs and small business owners and revitalize the local economy.”
Seongdong Life Safety Learning Center Completely Revamps Education System... Enhances Residents' Safety Competence
Official website with integrated online reservation system to open in March; customized safety education by life cycle from preschool children to seniors introduced
Following last year's nationwide first 'VR Flood Escape Training,' plans to introduce region-specific 'VR Safety Education' nationwide first, and new safety education for preschool children
Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jeong Wono), a representative experiential safety education institution, announced that the ‘Seongdong Life Safety Learning Center’ has strengthened its efforts to protect residents' daily safety with a comprehensive education overhaul and new program introductions in the new year 2025.
This year, the district is focusing on various policies to realize a life full of ‘happiness, inclusion, vitality, and fun’ for residents, aiming to enhance the brand value of Seongdong-gu, symbolized by the slogan ‘I live in Seongdong.’
Accordingly, the ‘Seongdong Life Safety Learning Center’ will strengthen safety education services that residents can experience, such as customized safety experiential education by life cycle and outreach safety education, to help residents lead safe and vibrant daily lives.
First, in the first half of this year, an integrated online reservation system will be established, and customized safety education by life cycle will be provided.
An official website equipped with an integrated online reservation system is scheduled to open in March, enabling residents to smartly and conveniently use various services such as education reservations, schedule checks, and certificate issuance.
In addition, customized safety education by life cycle will be conducted according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety guidelines. Reflecting risk factors by age group from preschool children to seniors, the program will support systematic and effective acquisition of essential safety skills for daily life.
Moreover, the self-defense training sessions held on February 8 and February 22 were fully booked within a day of opening reservations and received great response. Reflecting residents' high interest and demand, the district plans to expand the training schedule.
In the second half of the year, immersive safety education based on virtual reality (VR) will be conducted. Following last year's nationwide first introduction of ‘VR Flood Escape Training,’ the district plans to continue innovating safety education through new VR education programs. In particular, it will be the first nationwide to introduce VR safety education tailored to regional characteristics, providing residents with practical opportunities to develop response capabilities.
New education programs such as electrical and gas safety education for preschool children (ages 4 and 5) will also be introduced, expanding the scope of safety education recipients to include infants and toddlers.
Jeong Wono, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “‘Seongdong Life Safety Learning Center’ is Seongdong-gu’s representative experiential safety education facility operated with the mission to protect residents' safety and happiness.” He added, “This year, we will introduce smarter and more innovative education methods and do our best to thoroughly safeguard residents' daily safety.”
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