First Official Visit to Daejeon's Traditional Markets and Local Shopping Districts
Listening to Market Voices by Personally Using Onnuri Gift Certificates
"Policy Begins in the Field... The Ministry of SMEs and Startups Will See It Through to the End"
On July 24, Minister of SMEs and Startups Han Sung-sook visited traditional markets and local commercial districts in Daejeon for her first official schedule after taking office, beginning her efforts to engage with small business owners on site. In line with her inaugural pledge to "start policy in the field," her first destination was a traditional market.
On this day, Minister Han visited the Eungubi-seoro alley-type shopping district in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, followed by the Jungang Market revitalization area in Dong-gu, where she held meetings with small business owners and representatives of merchant organizations. She emphasized, "Traditional markets and alley-type shopping districts are the main foundations of the local economy," and added, "Creating an environment where merchants can work with peace of mind is the most important basis for restoring people's livelihoods."
Hansung Sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups, is visiting the alley-type shopping district in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon on the 24th, engaging in conversation with merchants. Ministry of SMEs and Startups
During her meeting with the Eungubi-seoro alley-type shopping district merchants' association, she remarked, "I was very impressed that the merchants here have independently formed a community and set their own direction," and added, "The government only played a priming role, and once again, I realized that what truly matters is the power of people." This area is cited as a vibrant example of an alley-type shopping district, with more than 130 stores applying unique character branding, and the merchants' association directly providing ChatGPT training and operating a KakaoTalk channel for its members.
At the Jungang Market, which she visited next, Minister Han communicated with merchants while personally purchasing goods with Onnuri gift certificates. She said, "I was curious about the current market situation, and after hearing feedback about the consumer coupons, it was clear that the effects were tangible on site," adding, "The government will do its part to ensure that both local currency and Onnuri gift certificates contribute to market revitalization."
During the meeting, topics such as the small business manager system, disaster response measures for incidents like fires, and support for flood recovery were also discussed. Minister Han stated, "Many specific needs were raised in the field," and promised, "We will connect on-site demands to effective policies." She added, "In particular, since the manager system was frequently mentioned by field merchants, I believe it is a key support project for the smooth operation of the market," and noted, "We will proceed with internal discussions to expand it into a more systematic infrastructure."
Hansung Sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups, is visiting the alley-type shopping district in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon on the 24th, engaging in conversation with merchants. Ministry of SMEs and Startups
Minister Han identified three major tasks for building a small business ecosystem: establishing a social safety net, supporting business closure and shortening related procedures, and improving a recovery system based on reemployment and data. She stated, "Although livelihoods are repeatedly disrupted by disasters such as floods and wildfires, crisis response systems for small business owners have not yet been fully established," and added, "We will improve support measures such as emergency management funds on a legal basis."
She also said, "Some small business owners want to close their businesses but find it difficult due to costs such as interior restoration," and added, "We will work to simplify closure procedures and reduce financial burdens." She further emphasized, "A data system is needed to diagnose who needs to close their business, and we must establish training and reemployment systems so that business owners can recover even after closure."
Minister Han concluded, "The true growth I mentioned in my inaugural address is not just about expanding store size, but about being able to live stably in the form of business one desires," and added, "I will continue to design customized policies so that various ways of life for small business owners can be respected."
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