Andong City Council Member Son Kwangyoung Urges Urgent Comprehensive Support Plan for Small Business Owners in Crisis

"The Local Economy Collapsing Under Economic Downturn and High Interest Rates
Andong City Must Take Special Measures"

Son Kwangyoung, a member of the Andong City Council representing Taehwa-dong, Pyeonghwa-dong, and Angi-dong, has strongly urged Andong City to establish a special comprehensive support plan to revitalize struggling neighborhood businesses and alleviate the management difficulties faced by small business owners.

Son Kwangyoung, a member of the Andong City Council in Gyeongbuk, has strongly urged the establishment of a comprehensive support plan.

On May 19, during a five-minute free speech at the first plenary session of the 258th temporary meeting of the Andong City Council, Son emphasized, "Small business owners are the backbone of Andong's local economy and a barometer of the livelihoods of ordinary citizens." He added, "It is urgent to prepare realistic and comprehensive support measures for small business owners who have been pushed to the brink by the ongoing economic downturn and high interest rates."

He particularly pointed out, "Since statistics began to be compiled in 2006, the current desperate situation, with the highest increase in business closures, is no longer just an issue for individual business owners but a crisis for the entire local economy." He insisted, "At this point, Andong City must promptly establish an effective comprehensive support plan and lay the institutional groundwork."

Specifically, Son called for: ▲ establishing and implementing a comprehensive support plan for small business owners and providing its legal basis ▲ designating and operating dedicated public officials as 'specialists' to systematically promote the support plan ▲ building an interdepartmental collaboration system that goes beyond the responsible department.

He stated, "While there are limits to what can be achieved through administrative efforts alone to enhance the competitiveness of small business owners, it is unacceptable to leave the situation unattended without any measures." He urged the executive branch, "The administration should take the lead in preparing practical comprehensive measures and implement policies that reflect the voices from the field."

Currently, Andong City provides limited support to traditional markets and certain business districts, but no comprehensive plan covering all small business owners in the region has been established. It remains to be seen whether Son's proposal will be reflected in future city policies.