The 4th Women Entrepreneurs Week Kicks Off
Expansion of Women's Economic Participation Emerges as a National Priority
President Park Changsook: "Welfare Blind Spots Must Be Eliminated"
The 4th Women Entrepreneurs Week kicked off on July 1 at the Dynasty Hall of the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. The opening ceremony, hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association, was attended by more than 400 people, including First Lady Kim Hyekyung, heads of women's business organizations, government officials, and women entrepreneurs.
This year's Women Entrepreneurs Week is being held under the slogan "Women Entrepreneurs, the Key of Hope for Tomorrow," delivering the message that women-led businesses can be a solution to the complex crises of low growth and low birth rates. During the opening ceremony, participants reaffirmed their commitment to contributing to the resolution of social issues by expanding women's entrepreneurship and business activities.
Notably, First Lady Kim Hyekyung attended the event to celebrate the opening of Women Entrepreneurs Week and to commend the efforts and achievements of women entrepreneurs. Kim stated, "I imagine that many women entrepreneurs face not only the challenges of running a business but also numerous difficulties as women, such as the glass ceiling and career interruptions. Nevertheless, I am deeply impressed by their desire to address social issues beyond personal and business interests."
She added, "I hope that, just like this year's slogan, 'The Key of Hope for Tomorrow,' women entrepreneurs will take the lead in overcoming Korea's crises, especially those of low growth and low birth rates."
Government awards, including the Order of Industrial Service Merit (Gold Tower), were also presented to exemplary women entrepreneurs. This year, the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit was awarded to Jin Deoksu, CEO of Daehong Costech.
Park Changsook, president of the Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association, is speaking at the opening ceremony of the 4th Women Entrepreneurs Week held at the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 1st. Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association
Park Changsook, president of the Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association, emphasized in her opening remarks, "In an era where consumption is declining, uncertainty is rising, and fewer children are being born, the most certain solution is to have more women working. Women-led businesses are a vital pillar that creates jobs for women and injects vitality into the economy."
Park especially noted, "It is a national loss when young women entrepreneurs are forced to give up management because they fall into welfare blind spots due to issues like pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare. For women-led businesses to grow, we need government policies and systems as well as public support."
Kim Seongseop, Vice Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "Expanding women's economic participation should not only increase production but also serve as the foundation for a society where work and family are in harmony. The Ministry will continue to support the spread of women-led startups that use science to solve everyday inconveniences in fields such as femtech, which improve women's health and quality of life, and will ensure that outstanding women entrepreneurs can pursue their dreams without career interruptions."
The 4th Women Entrepreneurs Week will feature a policy forum, a luncheon forum for women CEOs, and an awards ceremony for the Women’s Startup Competition, starting with the opening ceremony. Throughout July, an online joint recruitment fair for women-led businesses and an online exhibition for outstanding products from women-led companies will be held, along with regional events commemorating Women Entrepreneurs Week.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
