"Comprehensive Policy System Needed for Small Businesses Beyond Short-Term Support"

Global Trends in Small Business Policy Analysis Seminar
Economic Outlook, Government Policy, and Global Trend Analysis

There have been calls for the government's small business policies to be designed as a comprehensive support system, rather than focusing solely on short-term assistance.

The Small Enterprise and Market Service is taking a commemorative photo after holding the "Global Trends in Small Business Policy Analysis Seminar" at the Graduate School of Public Administration, Seoul National University. Photo by Small Enterprise and Market Service

On December 24, the Small Enterprise and Market Service announced that it had held the "Global Trends in Small Business Policy Analysis Seminar" in collaboration with the Graduate School of Public Administration at Seoul National University and the Korean Association for Public Administration.

The Global Trends in Small Business Policy Analysis Seminar was organized to explore strategies for fostering a sustainable innovation ecosystem for small businesses amid changes in the global political and economic landscape and the transition to AI-based industries.

The seminar began with opening remarks, followed by keynote presentations on economic outlook, government policy agendas, global trends, and policy evaluation methodologies, and concluded with a comprehensive discussion session.

During the opening ceremony, Kim Yoo-oh, Director of the Small Business Policy Research Institute, explained the purpose of the seminar. The keynote presentations included Kim Dongyeol, Visiting Researcher at the Economic Research Institute of Seoul National University, who discussed "The Economic Outlook for 2026 and Policy Challenges for Small Businesses." Professor Heo Hyeongjo of Konkuk University presented on "Policy Challenges and Issues for Small Businesses under the Lee Jaemyung Administration." Jeong Kwangho, President of the Korean Association for Public Administration, delivered a presentation on "Global Trends in Small Business Policy and Evaluation Methodologies."

In the comprehensive discussion, Director Kim and other academics and experts engaged in in-depth discussions on the overall design, implementation, and performance management of small business policies. Participants at the seminar agreed on the need to establish a comprehensive policy system that connects policy design, implementation, and performance management, rather than focusing solely on short-term support. They also emphasized the importance of policy evaluation based on data and highlighted the significance of "field-oriented policy learning" involving both academia and practitioners.

Park Seonghyo, Chairman of the Small Enterprise and Market Service, stated, "This policy seminar provided a platform to discuss the direction and implementation strategies of small business policies in a changing environment," adding, "We will continue to collaborate with relevant organizations to develop effective policies based on global best practices and data."