KOSME Opens Seoul Eastern Branch, Begins Full-Scale Support for Eastern Region Businesses

The Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) is set to actively support small and venture businesses in the eastern region of Seoul.

On May 15, KOSME announced that it held an opening ceremony for its Seoul Eastern Branch in Sincheon-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul. To strengthen on-site, hands-on support, KOSME established the Seoul Eastern Branch and plans to further enhance its support for small and venture businesses located in the eastern region of Seoul (Songpa-gu, Gangdong-gu, and Gwangjin-gu) in areas such as policy funding, exports, and employment.

Until last year, this region was under the jurisdiction of the Seoul Southeast Branch located in Seocho-gu. However, due to the anticipated continuous increase in policy demand resulting from the development of large-scale high-tech industrial complexes and the spread of advanced and new industries in the eastern region, a separate department was newly established.

With the opening of this new branch, it is expected that small and venture businesses will benefit from improved geographical and time accessibility, enabling on-site, tailored support that meets business needs. In particular, KOSME plans to accelerate the activation of new industries based on next-generation technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (ICT). Additionally, by expanding its branches within Seoul (from one headquarters and two branches to one headquarters and three branches), KOSME aims to strengthen cooperation with the Seoul Regional Office of SMEs and Startups as well as related support organizations and associations.

The opening ceremony was attended by Chairman Kang Seokjin, Deputy Mayor Choi Hongyeon of Songpa-gu, Lee Byungkwon, Head of the Seoul Regional Office of SMEs and Startups, and other related officials. Kang Seokjin, Chairman of KOSME, stated, "We will spare no effort in providing diverse support so that small and venture businesses in the eastern region's advanced and new industries can achieve global competitiveness," adding, "We will provide swift support from the closest possible location to local small and venture businesses facing multifaceted challenges due to changes in the domestic and global economic environment."