Jubong Park, SME Ombudsman, "Continuous Discussions to Restore Additional Points for Female Entrepreneurs' Credibility"

Small and Medium Business Ombudsman Holds Meeting with Chairperson of Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission and Women Venture Association

Jubong Park, Ombudsman.
[Photo by Small and Medium Business Ombudsman]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] Park Ju-bong, Ombudsman for Small and Medium Enterprises (vice ministerial level), stated, "We will continue to discuss with the Public Procurement Service regarding the restoration of credibility points for women-owned businesses."

On the 7th, Ombudsman Park made this remark at a meeting held at the Government Seoul Office with the Korea Women Venture Association to gather opinions on resolving field difficulties and improving regulations for women venture companies, adding, "We will strive to resolve the difficulties faced by women venture companies in the field."

About ten women venture entrepreneurs attended the meeting, including Ombudsman Park Ju-bong, Kim Bun-hee, President of the Korea Women Venture Association, Senior Vice Presidents Yoon Mi-ok and Jang Hye-won. Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, also attended to listen to the grievances of women venture entrepreneurs.

At the meeting, the Procurement Innovation Project Group of the Women Venture Association stated, "The credibility points (1.0 point) granted to women-owned businesses for over 10 years were removed as of December 31, 2019," and requested, "Please grant the same credibility points (1.0 point) to all women-owned businesses regardless of the company's duration when evaluating general service qualifications."

In response, Ombudsman Park said, "I deeply understand that credibility points are an important matter for women-owned businesses to operate their businesses," and replied, "We will continue to discuss with the Public Procurement Service about restoring the credibility points for women-owned businesses."

The attendees also proposed solutions and expanded government support for various field difficulties, including △ substantial financial support expansion for industries affected by COVID-19 △ establishment of exemption clauses for business owners under the Serious Accident Punishment Act △ shortening of testing and certification periods and alleviation of cost burdens △ expansion of R&D support to strengthen the technological competitiveness of women venture companies.

Regarding the proposal related to the Serious Accident Punishment Act, Ombudsman Park emphasized, "I understand that business owners have many concerns regarding the enforcement of the Serious Accident Punishment Act," adding, "Since difficulties for business owners are expected due to the enforcement of the law, we will continue to monitor closely and actively propose and work to improve the difficulties faced by small and medium enterprises."

Kim Bun-hee, President of the Korea Women Venture Association, said, "Despite the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and the difficult domestic and international economy, women venture companies have increased to about 10% of all venture companies, becoming a growth engine for the innovative venture ecosystem," and added, "We hope for continuous interest in revitalizing women venture companies and for unreasonable regulations to be improved and active support provided so that women venture companies can grow innovatively."

Chairperson Jeon Hyun-hee stated, "As the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission is an institution aimed at improving unreasonable systems that cause public grievances, we will do our best to alleviate difficulties in corporate management."

Ombudsman Park promised, "We will strive to prepare practical alternatives through consultations with related ministries regarding the various proposals raised at the meeting so that women venture companies can conduct business activities more actively and resolve the difficulties they face in the field."

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