Acting President Lee Attends SME Convention: "Strengthening Tailored Support for SMEs and Small Business Owners"

Attendance at the Korea Small and Medium Businesspersons Convention
Lee Sangchun and Seo Hokwon Honored with the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit

Lee Juho, Acting President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Education, announced at the "2025 Korea Small and Medium Businesspersons Convention" that the government will strengthen tailored support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small business owners.

Lee Juho, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Education, is delivering an encouragement speech at the 2025 Korea Small and Medium Businesspersons Convention held at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by Presidential Office Press Photographers Group

On the 23rd, during his opening address at the convention held at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, which was organized by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business, Lee stated, "Major countries around the world are strengthening protectionism, and the global economy is facing new challenges due to changes in trade order and the restructuring of global supply chains." He added, "We will do our utmost to swiftly execute the supplementary budget to instill confidence in the livelihood economy."

Now in its 36th year, the Korea Small and Medium Businesspersons Convention is the largest festival in the SME sector, designed to recognize the achievements of small and venture businesspeople who have contributed to Korea's economic and social development in areas such as job creation, exports, and social contribution, and to boost their pride.

Approximately 300 people attended the event, including Acting President Lee, Minister of SMEs and Startups Oh Youngju, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business Kim Kimon, heads of SME support organizations, heads of SME associations, and small business owners from across the country.

During the convention, a total of 92 government awards were presented to exemplary SMEs, model workers, and outstanding organizations. These included 15 Orders of Industrial Service Merit, such as two Gold Tower Orders of Industrial Service Merit, 12 Industrial Service Medals, 32 Presidential Citations, and 33 Prime Minister Citations.

This year, Lee Sangchun, CEO of SCL, and Seo Hokwon, CEO of Shindo, were honored with the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit. Lee was recognized for dedicating over 40 years to the automotive parts industry and localizing the "multi-function pad spring," a core component of automotive braking systems that previously relied entirely on imports. He was also acknowledged for contributing to the national economy and social development by establishing the Sangroksu Foundation to provide scholarships for underprivileged children and youth, and through Woorimilman, supporting the elderly with medical expenses and daily necessities, all based on his philosophy that companies must fulfill social responsibility.

Seo was recognized as a leading expert in the root industry, having worked in the forging sector for 38 years. Through continuous R&D investment, he localized automotive parts using a self-developed "high-difficulty cold forging process." He holds numerous patents in the forging industry and has secured world-class technological capabilities. He was also acknowledged for driving the transformation into an eco-friendly company through ESG management and contributing to the advancement of national industry.

Minister Oh stated, "The Ministry of SMEs and Startups will always serve as a strong pillar so that SME entrepreneurs and small business owners can become proud leaders of the Korean economy." She added, "The 4.8 trillion won budget secured in this supplementary budget will be used to support export SMEs facing management difficulties, help small business owners recover from wildfire damage and inflation, and assist them in adapting to new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI)."

Chairman Kim of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business said, "Thirteen SME organizations, including the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business, have jointly delivered policy recommendations from the SME sector to both major presidential candidates." He added, "We will strive to ensure that SME support policies reflecting the voices from the field are implemented by the next administration."