Kwon Chil-seung "Quarantine Guidelines Must Change from October... Proactive Review of Business Restrictions"

"Kakao Controversy, Social Responsibility Inevitable After Certain Level of Growth"
Issue of Large Corporations Entering Used Car Market, Ministry of SMEs Likely to Play a Role

Kwon Chil-seung, Minister of SMEs and Startups / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Kwon Chil-seung, Minister of SMEs and Startups, said on the 15th, "It is necessary to gradually ask the question, 'Can we create alternatives without finding ways to restore daily life?'" and added, "It is necessary to proactively review business restrictions."

After finishing a meeting with young entrepreneurs at the Global Startup Academy in Guro-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the same day, Minister Kwon told reporters, "There should be changes in the quarantine guidelines newly applied from October."

As the highest level of social distancing, Level 4, continues in Seoul and the metropolitan area, the damage to small business owners and self-employed individuals is increasing, and there have even been reports of extreme choices.

Minister Kwon said, "Currently, the number of confirmed cases is regarded as a management index, but I think we need to reconsider that," adding, "The first-dose vaccination rate has surpassed that of the United States and is expected to increase more rapidly. Quarantine measures should also change according to the changed environment."

He continued, "The quarantine authorities are not unaware of the difficulties faced by small business owners," and added, "They are cautious because if the medical capacity is exceeded, the damage will be significant."

Regarding the controversy over Kakao's infringement on neighborhood markets, Minister Kwon said, "There is a dilemma, but once a certain scale is reached, social responsibility and regulation inevitably follow."

The issue of large corporations entering the used car market will be discussed later at the private-sector-led Livelihood Suitable Industry Deliberation Committee, but before that, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups is expected to play an intermediary role.

Minister Kwon said, "The discussion at the Euljiro Committee came very close but then fell apart," adding, "It is necessary to attempt to ask both sides whether to proceed with the discussion a little more. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups should play an intermediary role at least once to ensure a good outcome."

He said, "Because the automobile industry has a significant impact on the domestic industry, a comprehensive judgment considering industrial aspects is necessary."

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