SME Ombudsman Holds Regulatory Improvement Meeting in Gangwon Province
Seven Issues Discussed, Including Easing Parking Regulations for Data Centers
"Practical Regulatory Reforms to Continue Through Local Government Cooperation"
The Small and Medium Business Ombudsman announced on October 28 that a joint meeting was held at the Wonju Institute for Future Industries in Wonju, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, together with the provincial government, to discuss regulatory improvements for local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small business owners.
The meeting was attended by Ombudsman Choi Seungjae, Lee Jooyeon, Corporate Ombudsman of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, and about 30 representatives of local SMEs and venture companies in Gangwon. Solutions for seven on-site regulatory improvement proposals were discussed.
First, the Food Safety Division of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province explained that, due to a recent amendment to relevant laws, companies located in knowledge industry centers are now allowed to engage in online sales. However, selling health functional foods online still requires a separate business registration for health functional food sales, which has created difficulties for these companies.
After consultation between the Ombudsman and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, it was found that the law on health functional foods does not restrict the use of building types for business premises. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety responded that it plans to revise the "2026 Food Safety Management Guidelines" to clearly state that businesses in knowledge industry centers can register for health functional food sales.
The Gangwon Branch of the Korea Foodservice Industry Association raised the issue that the Gangwon Women Farmers’ Welfare Voucher cannot be used at general restaurants. Since the voucher is intended to support the cultural and leisure activities of women farmers, its limited usability at general restaurants makes it difficult for recipients to use it.
In response, the Ombudsman and Gangwon Province consulted with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and obtained a reply stating, "Since women farmers' organizations also support expanding voucher use to general restaurants, we will work with the Ministry of Health and Welfare to pursue adding general restaurants as eligible locations."
Additionally, Company A, which operates a data center with minimal on-site staff and few visitors due to unmanned and automated systems, proposed easing excessive parking lot installation requirements. In response, Wonju City stated it would amend its parking lot ordinance to relax the parking space requirements for data centers.
Other topics discussed at the meeting included: ▲clarifying the review criteria for medical device conformity assessment; ▲expanding the range of non-professional employment (E-9) categories permitted in hotel and condominium businesses in Seoul and Gangwon; and ▲broadening the scope of activities allowed for foreign seasonal workers.
Ombudsman Choi stated, "We will work to further strengthen the cooperation system between the two institutions so that regulatory improvements can be achieved in ways that SMEs and small business owners can truly feel."
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