Korea Federation of SMEs Holds 2026 Yeongnam Region New Year's Meeting for Small and Medium Business Owners

Over 600 Key Figures from Government and National Assembly Attend

The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business announced on the 19th that it held the 2026 New Year's Meeting for Small and Medium Business Owners in the Yeongnam region at the Westin Chosun Busan.

Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business, is speaking at the 2026 New Year's Meeting for Small and Medium Business Owners held on the 13th at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business

This New Year's meeting was attended by over 600 key figures, including representatives from small and medium-sized enterprises in the Yeongnam region, as well as leaders from the business community, government, National Assembly, local governments, and related organizations.

The New Year's Meeting for Small and Medium Business Owners is held annually in each region, providing an opportunity for government officials, local governments, and key figures from the SME sector to gather in one place, reaffirm their New Year's resolutions, and boost the morale of small and medium business owners. This year, the meetings will be held in the Yeongnam region (on the 19th), followed by the Honam region (on the 22nd), and the Chungcheong region (on the 27th).

From the National Assembly, Assemblyman Paek Jongmin and Assemblyman Joo Jinwoo of the People Power Party attended. From local governments and the central government, Kim Seokjun, Superintendent of Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education, Seong Heeyeob, Vice Mayor of Busan, and Son Hankook, Director of the Gyeongnam Regional Office of SMEs and Startups, were present.

The event included New Year's greetings from leaders of the government, National Assembly, local governments, and the business community, the screening of a video highlighting the hopes and challenges of SMEs, and a rice cake cutting ceremony, all conveying messages of hope for the new year.

In his New Year's address, Kim Kimon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business, emphasized, "The Yeongnam region is home to 1.9 million small and medium-sized enterprises, with 4.3 million workers. As such, I hope that regionally-led growth can begin in Yeongnam." He added, "With the Year of the Red Horse returning after 60 years, we must make this year a year of significant economic leap forward."

He went on to introduce 'Jagangbulshik' (自强不息), the four-character idiom chosen by the SME community as the motto for the year, stating, "By strengthening ourselves and running tirelessly, we will do our best to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises become the driving force behind a new leap forward for the Korean economy."