Disabled Enterprises Become a Pillar of the Korean Economy... 'National Disabled Entrepreneurs Conference' Held

Disabled Enterprise Week Runs Until November 14
Sales Reach 69 Trillion Won, 580,000 Employees in Disabled Enterprises
"Supporting Sustainable Growth in a Fair Competitive Environment"

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Disabled Enterprise Business Center announced on November 13 that they held the 20th National Disabled Entrepreneurs Conference at COEX Magok in Seoul, celebrating the achievements of disabled entrepreneurs over the past 20 years.

The National Disabled Entrepreneurs Conference is an annual event designed to promote the accomplishments of businesses run by people with disabilities and to enhance their pride. This year, marking the 20th anniversary of the conference, the period from November 10 to 14 has been designated as "Disabled Enterprise Week," featuring a variety of events such as export and investment consultations, a startup camp, an online sales exhibition, and policy forums.

This year’s conference, held under the slogan "Beyond 20 Years of Innovation, Toward Infinite Growth!", was an opportunity to reflect on the journey of disabled entrepreneurs over the past two decades and to pledge for even greater progress.

Over the past 20 years, businesses run by people with disabilities have continued to grow and evolve. In 2006, when the first conference was held, there were an estimated 30,000 such businesses. By 2023, this number had increased to 170,000, with an annual revenue of 69 trillion won and 580,000 employees, representing significant economic growth.

During the awards ceremony, a variety of honors were presented to recognize the hard work and achievements of disabled entrepreneurs. Commendations and certificates were awarded to 22 exemplary disabled entrepreneurs and contributors to the development of businesses run by people with disabilities, 6 organizations recognized for their support of public procurement from disabled enterprises, and 11 winners of the Disabled Startup Item Competition.

Park Sangkyu, CEO of PSK Retail, who received a commendation as an exemplary disabled entrepreneur, was recognized for improving the seafood distribution structure to provide safe and high-quality food, as well as for his contributions to the local community as a volunteer fire brigade leader and a member of the Ministry of Justice’s Youth Crime Prevention Committee.

Siheung Urban Corporation, selected as an exemplary public procurement organization for disabled enterprises, was recognized for its systematic public procurement target setting and company-wide participation, achieving more than four times the mandatory purchase ratio (1%) of products from businesses run by people with disabilities last year.

Lee Poo, who won the grand prize at the Disabled Startup Item Competition, was recognized for developing an innovative and commercially viable smart diffuser that can be controlled via Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and voice commands.

Lee Daegun, Director of Small Business Policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "Disabled entrepreneurs have grown to become a pillar of our economy over the past 20 years through relentless challenge and innovation despite difficult circumstances," adding, "The Ministry will continue to provide policy support so that businesses run by people with disabilities can keep growing in a fair competitive environment."

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