"AI Transformation and Export Diversification Are Key"... SME Leaders Forum Concludes Successfully

Held for Four Days Starting on the 23rd
Minister Hansung Sook Delivers Lecture on Smart Manufacturing Innovation 3.0
Sessions on U.S. and Japan Market Entry Also Held

The small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector has reached a consensus on the need to focus on AI transformation and export diversification for SMEs in order to overcome the prolonged economic downturn.

Hansung Sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups (fifth from left), and Kim Kiwon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs (sixth from left), are taking a commemorative photo at the opening ceremony of the "2025 SME Leaders Forum" held on the 23rd at Lotte Hotel Jeju in Seogwipo, Jeju Island. Korea Federation of SMEs

On the 26th, the Korea Federation of SMEs announced the successful conclusion of the "2025 SME Leaders Forum," the largest economic forum in the industry. Now in its 18th year, the event was held at Lotte Hotel Jeju in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, from the 23rd for three nights and four days. More than 400 SME leaders gathered under the theme "Challenge and Innovation, Toward the World and the Future!" to discuss the future vision and policy direction for SMEs.

Hansung Sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups, attended the opening ceremony and emphasized the necessity of AI transformation for small and medium-sized manufacturers under the theme "Smart Manufacturing Innovation 3.0 Driven by AI." Minister Han stated, "Research shows that applying AI to small and medium-sized manufacturing significantly improves quality and on-time delivery rates," and added, "Within this year, we will enact the Smart Manufacturing Industry Promotion Act to establish a legal and institutional foundation for nurturing specialized smart manufacturing technology companies."

There was also a session offering advice on local financial and legal systems for companies hoping to enter the United States. Barney Lee, President of Hanmi Bank; Park Kihong, Chairman of Hub International Insurance; Scott Lee, Partner Attorney at LBBS Law Firm; and Matt West, Deputy City Manager of Garden Grove, participated in the "U.S. Market Entry Strategy Seminar" hosted by the Korea Federation of SMEs,providing SME representatives with information on U.S. finance, insurance, legal, and administrative matters, and discussing support measures for SMEs.

The importance of cooperation between Korean and Japanese SMEs was also highlighted. Hiroshi Mori, Chairman of the National Federation of Small Business Associations of Japan, attended the forum and discussed shared issues such as declining birth rates, aging populations, and U.S. tariffs, emphasizing that Korean and Japanese SMEs should overcome these challenges through cooperation.

Kim Kiwon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs, stated, "I hope this Leaders Forum has provided SME leaders, who are striving amid difficult economic conditions, with an opportunity to find new growth engines to overcome the crisis. We will invite SME leaders again next year with even more enriching programs."

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