Daejeon Launches 'Self-Employed Doctor Program' to Support Small Business Stability and Recovery

Up to 3 Million Won for Management Consulting and Business Improvement
Up to 5 Million Won for Business Closure Support

Daejeon City Hall Exterior (Photo by Seokbong Mo)

The city of Daejeon will officially launch the "2026 Self-Employed Doctor Program," which provides up to 3 million won for management consulting and business improvement, and up to 5 million won for business closure support.

The "Self-Employed Doctor Program" offers one-on-one tailored management consulting by experts to small business owners and supports business improvement costs such as facility upgrades based on diagnostic results. In addition, for small business owners who have no choice but to close their businesses, the program provides support for store demolition and restoration costs, easing the burden after closure and helping them make a fresh start.

Notably, starting this year, the business closure support fund has been increased from 2.5 million won to up to 5 million won, and the required application documents have been significantly simplified by utilizing shared administrative information, thereby enhancing the level of support that small business owners can directly experience.

Meanwhile, the business improvement support fund remains the same as the previous year, offering up to 3 million won.

Consulting and business improvement support are available to small business owners who have operated a business in Daejeon for at least six months as of the announcement date. Applications will be accepted until February 25, and final selections will be made through an evaluation process.

Additionally, business closure support is available to small business owners who have closed or plan to close their businesses after the announcement date. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until October 30, and support will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis until the budget is exhausted.

Further details can be found in the announcement on Daejeon Biz, the Daejeon Small and Medium Business Support Portal. For other inquiries, please contact the Daejeon Job and Economy Promotion Agency.

Park Jehwa, Director of Economic Affairs at Daejeon City, stated, "The Self-Employed Doctor Program is a project that assesses the management situation of small business owners on-site and provides timely support as needed," adding, "We will continue to implement highly effective policies to ensure the stability and recovery of small businesses."