SME Ombudsman Hears Concerns in Gangwon, Including Support for Marine Animal Treatment Institutions

Holding 'S.O.S. Talk' with the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency

The Small and Medium Enterprise Ombudsman visited Gangneung, Gangwon Province, to discuss a range of local issues, from the entry of companion animals into national parks to support for the marine animal rescue industry.

On September 24, the Small and Medium Enterprise Ombudsman announced that it held an 'S.O.S. Talk' (a roundtable for small and medium-sized enterprises) at the Gangneung Science and Industry Promotion Agency, together with the Gangwon Regional Headquarters and Gangwon Yeongdong Branch of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency.

Choi Seungjae, the Ombudsman, visited CUBELABS, a manufacturer of body correction devices, and listened to concerns about the high costs of obtaining medical device permits for exports. The subsequent roundtable featured heated discussions on ways to improve unreasonable regulations faced by small and medium-sized enterprises in the field.

Company A, which operates an aquarium, requested that specialized marine animal rescue and treatment institutions receive support equivalent to that provided to wildlife rescue centers by the Ministry of Environment. Although the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries designates and supports specialized institutions for the rescue and treatment of stranded or injured marine animals, support for consumables such as feed necessary for treatment remains insufficient.

In response, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated, "We must first establish a legal basis for supporting the operating expenses of specialized rescue and treatment institutions," adding, "We will pursue a long-term review of this matter."

Company B, a manufacturer of pet products, requested an easing of restrictions on the entry of companion animals into natural park areas. Company B stated, "Rather than uniformly restricting companion animals from entering natural parks, please allow entry under conditions that do not affect the park's ecosystem."

The Ministry of Environment, which oversees this matter, responded, "We are currently conducting pilot projects at three national parks, including part of the Bukhansan Fortress Trail in Bukhansan National Park," and added, "After the pilot projects are completed, we will comprehensively review whether to allow companion animals to enter."

In addition, participants proposed various suggestions to address field regulations and difficulties, including expanding support for the 'Overseas Exhibition Individual Participation Support Project' for small and medium-sized enterprises, recognizing companies operating correctional halfway facilities as social enterprises, and improving the verification and settlement procedures for export voucher implementing agencies.