"Deepening Polarization Between Large and Small-Medium Enterprises... Ruling Party Asked to Create Hope-Giving Policies"

Korea Federation of SMEs, 'Good Morning Discussion with the Democratic Party Euljiro Committee' on the 27th

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business (KSMB) met on the 27th with members of the Democratic Party’s Euljiro Committee to discuss the polarization issue between large and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) after COVID-19 and to convey industry-related urgent tasks.

The roundtable held at the KSMB office in Yeouido was attended by Jin Seong-jun, chairman of the Euljiro Committee, along with standing committee members Lee Hak-young, Min Byung-duk, Kim Kyung-man, and Lee Dong-joo.

From the SME sector, attendees included Kim Ki-moon, chairman of KSMB; Bae Jo-ung, chairman of the Korea Ready-Mixed Concrete Industry Cooperative Federation; Moon Chang-seop, chairman of the Korea Footwear Industry Association; Go Byung-heon, chairman of the Korea Amusement Industry Cooperative; Kang Dong-han, chairman of the Korea Forging Industry Cooperative; and Han Byung-jun, chairman of the Korea Information Industry Cooperative.

Chairman Kim Ki-moon stated, "The polarization issue between large and small-to-medium enterprises has intensified since COVID-19," adding, "Since SMEs and small business owners are economically vulnerable, I hope the Euljiro Committee will regularly listen to various current issues and create good policies that give hope to SMEs and small business owners."

At the meeting, eight urgent SME issues were proposed for improvement, including ▲receiving fair prices for delivery contracts ▲introduction of a Korean-style PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) ▲improvement of the minimum wage system ▲reform of the uniform 52-hour workweek system ▲improvement of the public procurement system ▲realization of corporate succession support systems ▲fairness in online platforms ▲and supplementation of the Serious Accident Punishment Act.

There was also time to listen to various field difficulties by industry. Chairman Bae Jo-ung emphasized, "The recent two-year extension of the restriction on new registrations of concrete mixer trucks has increased difficulties for small ready-mixed concrete companies due to delivery disruptions and rising costs," and requested "a thorough review for stable supply of ready-mixed concrete and management stabilization of SMEs struggling due to COVID-19."

Chairman Go Byung-heon said, "The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has caused a serious hollowing-out phenomenon in aging industrial complexes due to an increase in business closures," and added, "Restrictions on industries such as the negative zone (special industry district) in industrial complexes should be eased to induce the entry of diverse companies and revitalize the complexes."

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