Small Business Industry Urges "Supplementary Budget of at Least 20 Trillion Won for Small Businesses"

Delivering Voices from Small Business Owners in Various Industries
Calls for Strengthening Direct Loans and Abolishing the Minimum Wage System

On the morning of the 13th, the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise held a 'Press Conference Urging Additional Budget for Livelihood and Small Business Owners' in front of the National Assembly, highlighting the plight of small business owners weakened by the economic downturn and strongly urging the National Assembly to allocate an additional budget for small business owners.

On the morning of the 13th, the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise held a "Press Conference Urging Additional Budget for Livelihood and Micro Enterprises" in front of the National Assembly, calling on the National Assembly to allocate an additional supplementary budget for micro enterprises. Provided by the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise

At the press conference, Song Chi-young, president of the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise, stated, "We must save small business owners on the brink who are enduring unprecedented cold waves through targeted support," and added, "It is necessary to significantly increase direct loans from the Small Enterprise and Market Service and implement a targeted additional budget for small business owners with at least 20 trillion won invested."

President Song also said, "With already difficult circumstances including the minimum wage issue and the mandatory barrier-free kiosk implementation," he demanded, "The voices of small business owners must be reflected in the national policy council to address various legislative issues."

At the press conference, small business owners from various industries participated and conveyed their voices from the field, strongly urging institutional improvements such as expanding closure support funds and abolishing the minimum wage system. Kim Bong-gi (44), who runs a restaurant in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, said, "The closure support fund increased from 2.5 million won to 4 million won this year. But what kind of closure can be done with 4 million won?" and appealed, "I hope the Small Enterprise and Market Service strengthens direct loans to at least 10 million won."

Following this, Yoo Deok-hyun, head of the Seoul branch of the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise, advocated for the abolition of the minimum wage system. Yoo, who runs a restaurant in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, said, "After reducing part-time workers due to the minimum wage increase, I am now working directly for over 10 hours." Kwon Na-young (41), who runs a cafe in Incheon, also stated that the recently implemented mandatory barrier-free kiosk policy does not fit the realistic conditions faced by small business owners and requested a postponement of its introduction from the political sphere.

President Song said, "If small business owners collapse, our economy collapses," and strongly urged, "We strongly urge the National Assembly to urgently allocate an additional budget to stabilize the management of small business owners and establish a social safety net."