Ministry of SMEs and Startups Adds Ombudsman for Regulatory Sandbox Free Zones as a 'Field Communication Channel'

'7 Additional Ombudsmen Appointed for Regulatory Sandbox Zones'
Identifying On-site Difficulties, Collecting Opinions, Monitoring Demonstration Progress, and Implementing System Improvements

Jubong Park, Small and Medium Business Ombudsman. / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 18th that it will hold the '4th Regulatory Free Zone Ombudsman Council' at the Small and Medium Business Ombudsman Support Group in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

On this day, the council newly appointed seven additional 'Regulatory Free Zone Ombudsmen' for post-management of the regulatory free zones.

The 'Regulatory Free Zone Ombudsmen,' composed of the Small and Medium Business Ombudsman (Chairman Park Joobong) and 16 experts (1 chairman, 9 existing members, and 7 new members), will operate by zone for the next year.

The newly appointed zone ombudsmen for the regulatory free zones designated in the 3rd and 4th rounds this year plan not only to identify on-site difficulties and collect opinions but also to inspect the progress of demonstration projects and work on system improvements.

Additionally, the members will support the activities of on-site inspection teams jointly conducted by local governments, regional offices, and the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency to monitor the establishment and implementation of safety measures.

They will also serve as a bridge between the zones and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups by collecting and conveying companies' suggestions arising on-site through regular company meetings and other means.

Kim Heecheon, head of the Regulatory Free Zone Planning Team, stated, “Regulatory free zones must prioritize not only business performance but also the safety of citizens' lives, environmental stability, and security. We will support the activities of the on-site inspection teams and Regulatory Free Zone Ombudsmen to ensure thorough monitoring and post-management so that no issues are overlooked on-site.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.