Changwook Park of Gyeongbuk Provincial Assembly Proposes Ordinance to Foster "Alleyway Business Communities" of 20 or More Small Business Owners

Changwook Park, a member of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Assembly (People Power Party, Bonghwa), announced on December 15 that he has sponsored the "Ordinance Bill on Fostering and Supporting Alleyway Business Communities in North Gyeongsang Province."

This ordinance bill was proposed in recognition of the reality that, amid rapidly changing consumer trends and a prolonged economic downturn, it is difficult for individual stores to secure competitiveness for survival on their own.

Changwook Park, Member of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Assembly

The main contents of the ordinance include the establishment of a basic plan, requirements and procedures for designating communities, support for business management education and field training, joint marketing and facility environment improvement, and the provision of incentives to outstanding communities.

Meanwhile, as of 2024, the total payout of the Yellow Umbrella Mutual Aid Fund, which reflects the business closure situation of small business owners, has exceeded a record 1.3 trillion won, and the number of annual business closures reported to the National Tax Service has surpassed 1 million, highlighting the deepening crisis among small business owners.

In contrast, as non-face-to-face transactions have become commonplace, with monthly online shopping transactions exceeding 20 trillion won, traditional alleyway businesses that rely on in-person transactions are increasingly losing their footing.

In response, Assemblyman Park defined an "alleyway business community" as a group of 20 or more small business owners within an alleyway business district, and established a legal basis for the provincial governor to designate and systematically foster these communities through the ordinance bill.

Notably, this ordinance goes a step beyond existing individual small business support policies by encouraging merchants to organize themselves and cooperate to seek revitalization strategies tailored to the unique characteristics of their local commercial districts, setting it apart from previous approaches.

Changwook Park pointed out, "North Gyeongsang Province is experiencing a rapid decline in alleyway business districts due to severe population decline and aging, much faster than in other regions," and added, "Through this ordinance, I hope merchants will restore a culture of mutual assistance and cooperation, which will serve as a catalyst for the revitalization of alleyway businesses in North Gyeongsang Province."

Meanwhile, this ordinance bill, which passed the Planning and Economy Committee on December 10, is scheduled for final approval at the plenary session on December 19.