[Yeouido Interview] Han Mu-kyung: "I Will Engage in Legislative Activities That Revive the 'Entrepreneurial Spirit'"

"Viewing Corporate Problem Solving from a Politician's Perspective is Problematic"
"Policy Fund Support is Important, but Entrepreneurial Spirit Must be Revived"

Han Mu-kyung, member of the People Power Party./Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Han Mu-kyung, a second-year member of the People Power Party who entered politics after being a small business owner, emphasized that what is needed to overcome the economic crisis is 'entrepreneurial spirit.' Her primary goal in legislative activities is to create an environment where entrepreneurial spirit can continue. She pointed out that problems arise when corporate issues are addressed from a politician's perspective rather than that of an entrepreneur. While it is important for the government to provide policy funds to companies, fundamentally, it is a priority to foster an environment that encourages entrepreneurial spirit and self-sustainability, and to establish a foundation where large corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can compete equally and fairly.

Rep. Han said, "The revival of entrepreneurial spirit is the most urgent task," adding, "The core of entrepreneurial spirit is a constant attitude of innovation and challenge, and entrepreneurship best exemplifies this." She continued, "When startups are active, jobs increase, economic vitality grows, and ultimately national competitiveness can be enhanced," and added, "Since entering the National Assembly, I have worked to break down various regulations that hinder entrepreneurial spirit and to promote startups." Below is a Q&A with Rep. Han.

- How did you find the political atmosphere as someone from a business background?

=In business, a lot of thought goes into the planning and sales strategies upfront. When it comes to execution, the CEO steps back a bit and creates an atmosphere that allows employees to perform well and pushes them forward. Since everyone moves in the same direction, it is efficient. There can be no wavering; whenever there is a problem with the direction, the CEO adjusts it. However, the National Assembly consists of diverse people and groups; nothing is the same. Because all this diversity must be accommodated to set a direction, a lot of time is spent on consultation, especially in the latter stages. When a problem arises, to move it forward, people must meet, communicate, negotiate, and align their perspectives. Then, another direction may emerge. The National Assembly’s role is to resolve conflicts when values or desires clash. It requires being very open-minded.

- You serve as the secretary of the National Assembly’s Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Startups Committee. You must have great ambitions.

=The Industry Committee is a standing committee that fosters and supports industries. It is not a committee where the ruling and opposition parties stand at opposite poles. The economy is not in an easy situation right now. There is nothing easy for Korean companies to gain competitiveness amid inflation, exchange rates, and so on. The National Assembly must step up to ensure Korean companies can have proper competitiveness. If necessary laws are needed, they should be enacted, and if there are regulations that strangle our companies, ways to ease those regulations must be considered. From the perspective of SMEs, it is not easy with labor shortages and soaring raw material prices. SME policies need to be reviewed again. Due to COVID-19, self-employed and small business owners have struggled for two years. As social distancing measures are lifted, the environment must be created so that self-employed people can properly run their businesses.

- Will the nuclear phase-out policy be scrapped? What is the direction for renewable energy policy?

=There is evidence that a huge amount of taxpayers’ money was recklessly spent on solar power generation. This is not about opposing the previous administration’s policies unconditionally but about properly informing the public why the nuclear phase-out policy was flawed. Renewable energy should be maintained to some extent while ensuring funds are invested appropriately. The renewable energy the Yoon Seok-yeol administration is focusing on is hydrogen. The technology to produce hydrogen exists now, but the cost is high. Nevertheless, hydrogen energy is very clean and eco-friendly, so we must pay attention to technology development. The related budget is also increasing.

Han Mu-kyung, member of the People Power Party./Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

- Will the Act on Strengthening Competitiveness of National Advanced Strategic Industries (commonly known as the Semiconductor Special Act) be passed?

=We must pass this bill no matter what. I don’t think it is a bill with partisan disputes. As you know, the U.S. is enforcing the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) to use only American products. The EU has regulations that prevent companies from entering the market if they receive government subsidies beyond a certain amount for exporting nuclear power. The whole world is moving toward prioritizing their own countries and industries, so I believe there will be no disagreement between the ruling and opposition parties on the advanced industry law created by the People Power Party’s semiconductor special committee.

- You have passed the halfway point of the 21st National Assembly term. How do you feel about the past two years?

=When I first started in the National Assembly, I was in the opposition party. For the past two years, I served as an opposition member. Since June this year, I have been part of the ruling party. The positions of the ruling and opposition parties differ. The opposition must scrutinize whether the current government’s policies and budget execution are being done properly, whether there are problems, or if there is any wasteful spending. So, the opposition focuses on investigating whether there really are no problems. As a ruling party member, if the government’s direction is wrong, we must propose alternatives. It has become more difficult and challenging. It is easy to point out mistakes, but it is challenging to think about how to prevent mistakes. Also, because policies affect people’s lives down to the smallest details, we must have a broad perspective, which I have definitely come to realize.

- Among the bills you have proposed, which one stands out the most?

=There are two main ones: a bill to support women entrepreneurs and a bill related to the linkage system for delivery prices. The Minister of SMEs and Startups is required to conduct a survey every two years to understand the status and conditions of women-owned businesses and to publish the results. However, conducting the survey every two years has the problem of lacking timeliness. There are limitations with outdated data, so I proposed an amendment to conduct the survey annually and to compile and manage the statistical data, which was recently passed and is now being implemented. The delivery price linkage system must be implemented. SMEs cannot bear the full responsibility for the rise in raw material costs alone. SMEs cannot survive otherwise. Although the linkage ratio must be negotiated, it is essential for win-win cooperation. This bill first emerged in 2008 but has been delayed for 14 years.

Reporter Hyunju Lee ecolhj@asiae.co.kr

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