Mid-sized Enterprise Sector Declares Goal of 350,000 New Jobs and 35 Trillion Won Investment Next Year

KFME Holds the 11th Mid-sized Enterprise Day Ceremony

The mid-sized enterprise sector has declared its commitment to creating 350,000 new jobs and investing 35 trillion won domestically by 2026.

On December 1, the Korea Federation of Mid-sized Enterprises, in cooperation with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, held the "11th Mid-sized Enterprise Day Ceremony" at Lotte Hotel Seoul and made this announcement. Mid-sized Enterprise Day is the largest annual event for the mid-sized enterprise sector, established based on the "Mid-sized Enterprise Act" enacted in January 2014.

Choi Jinsik, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Mid-sized Enterprises, is delivering the opening address. Mid-sized Federation

Approximately 200 people attended the ceremony, including Prime Minister Kim Minseok, First Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Sinhak, key government officials, representatives and employees of mid-sized enterprises, and officials from related organizations. Prime Minister Kim Minseok stated, "The most important pillar of the 'zero-point shift' policy, which befits Korea's global standing, is the mid-sized enterprise sector, the backbone of the Korean economy." He added, "We will engage in broad communication with the mid-sized enterprise community so that they can stand tall through 'genuine innovation.'"

The mid-sized enterprise sector announced its key action goals for "genuine growth" through the "Mid-sized Enterprises, Greater Growth" ceremony, declaring their will and vision as the driving force for real progress. These goals include creating 350,000 new jobs by 2026, investing 35 trillion won domestically, achieving 130 billion dollars in exports, and leading mutually beneficial cooperation. Choi Jinsik, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Mid-sized Enterprises, emphasized, "Although internal and external economic uncertainties remain high, entrepreneurship is a flower that blooms more brilliantly in adversity, 'Angstblute.' We will do our utmost to lay the foundation for sustainable 'genuine growth' by strengthening technological competitiveness through continuous research and development, spreading a leading corporate culture where labor and management grow together, and creating more good jobs full of vision for young people to stake their future on."

During the ceremony, 57 individuals, including mid-sized entrepreneurs and contributors to the development of mid-sized enterprises, were honored with awards such as the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit for their contributions to Korea's economic and industrial development. The Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, the highest honor for entrepreneurs, was awarded to Lee Donghyun, Chairman of Osang Healthcare, while the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit went to Lee Jisun, CEO of Shinsung ENG.

The Industrial Service Medal was awarded to Lee Hyojin, Vice Chairman of Daelim Trading, and Kwak Joonsang, CEO of Dohwa Engineering. The Presidential Citation was given to Kim Joongu, CEO of Mirae Company, Kim Chiwhan, CEO of Samki, Yang Seunghwa, Vice President of Doosung Tech, and Kim Taehun, President of Nepes. The Prime Minister's Citation was awarded to Kim Kihyun, Vice President of NVH Korea, Bang Hyoyoung, Executive Director of Hanmi Semiconductor, Park Jooyong, CEO of KC, Noh Junhyung, CEO of Sunghwa Industry, and Ha Youngdae, CEO of Korens.

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award was presented to Kim Byungje, CEO of KBI Alloy, Kim Hasoo, Executive Director of Sunil Diefas, and Cho Youngmin, Executive Director of Shinsung Delta Tech, along with 34 other mid-sized entrepreneurs and employees of related organizations. The newly established Intellectual Property Contributor Award was presented to Choi Hyungseop, former member of the Korea Intellectual Property Protection Agency, in recognition of his contribution to raising awareness of intellectual property in the mid-sized enterprise sector and spreading innovation based on intellectual property.

The Mid-sized Enterprise Innovation Award was given to seven companies, including Dongbo, KDS, and INTherapeutics, as well as employees of two organizations, including the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology. The "Mid-sized Enterprise Growth Tower," established by the mid-sized enterprise sector in 2019, was presented to 11 outstanding companies that have advanced from small to mid-sized enterprises through high performance and technological competitiveness.

Chairman Choi Jinsik emphasized, "The 5,868 mid-sized enterprises are the core driving force of Korea's 'genuine growth,' steadily building the future growth engines of our industries that the world is enthusiastic about, not only in traditional manufacturing but also in K-defense, K-bio, K-beauty, K-food, and K-content, all based on top-tier technological capabilities."