Korea Federation of SMEs Proposes "Top 30 Regulatory Rationalization Measures for SMEs"

The Korea Federation of SMEs announced on April 29 that it has identified 30 key regulatory issues classified into three main areas?deregulation, clarification, and strengthening of regulations?and submitted them to the Public-Private Regulatory Rationalization Task Force to promote regulatory reform. Of the 30 issues, 21 are related to deregulation, 5 concern clarification, and 4 address regulatory strengthening. Companies in the hydrogen vehicle industry and businesses located in aging industrial complexes requested regulatory easing. Although electric vehicles and hydrogen electric vehicles are classified as low-emission vehicles, hybrid hydrogen vehicles that can be charged externally are not recognized as such and are therefore excluded from subsidies and tax benefits. Industry stakeholders on the ground argue that in order to expand the adoption of eco-friendly vehicles, the criteria for recognizing hydrogen vehicles should be broadened. In addition, companies based in industrial

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04.29 12:00

First Quarter SME Exports Hit All-Time High at $29.8 Billion

In the first quarter, South Korea's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) achieved a record high in export value. This was driven by increased exports to Asia and Europe, centered on key export items such as cosmetics, despite the impact of the Middle East war. On April 29, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups released the "Export Trends of SMEs for the First Quarter of 2026." In the first quarter of this year, SME exports rose by 9.1% year-on-year to 29.8 billion dollars. Online exports reached 300 million dollars, surpassing the 300 million-dollar mark for the first time in any quarter, with significant increases to the United States (+25.1%), China (+43.4%), and the United Kingdom (+191.6%). The number of SME exporters was 64,706, up 2.7% from a year earlier, and the number of SMEs exporting online also increased by 14.4% to 2,735.By export item, cosmetics, a major export product led by SMEs, reached a record quarterly high of 2.18 billion dollars, with double-digit growth rates in

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04.29 12:00

SME Business Sentiment Declines for Second Consecutive Month... May Outlook Falls to 77.6

As the Middle East war continues, the business outlook for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for the coming month has worsened compared to the previous month. This marks a two-month decline, driven by rising raw material costs and sluggish sales. According to the “May SME Business Outlook Survey” released by the Korea Federation of SMEs on April 29, the Business Survey Index (SBHI) for May stood at 77.6, down 3.2 points from the previous month. The decline was greater in the non-manufacturing sector. The business outlook for manufacturing in May decreased by 2.2 points to 78.5 compared to the previous month, while non-manufacturing dropped by 3.5 points to 77.3. The construction industry (69.6) increased by 0.8 points, whereas the service industry (78.8) fell by 4.4 points. Within manufacturing, non-metallic mineral products (73.2) rose by 9.3 points, and beverages (98.6) increased by 6.7 points, with a total of six industries reporting increases from the previous month. By co

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04.29 12:00

The Heart of Manufacturing Innovation: Industrial Complexes Meet Startups to Expand Their Global Reach

Industrial complexes are evolving into "innovation ecosystems" powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology. At the center of this transformation is the "Industrial Complex Open Innovation" initiative led by the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation. This program, jointly promoted with Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, is distinguished from other initiatives by its ability to conduct technology proof-of-concept (PoC) directly at industrial complex sites. Korea Industrial Complex Corporation aims to lower the barriers of traditionally closed manufacturing sites and infuse them with the innovative DNA of startups, thereby turning industrial complexes into forward bases that connect exports and innovation. According to Korea Industrial Complex Corporation on April 29, the cumulative number of industrial complex-tailored PoC projects reached 42 as of last year, with a total support amount of 460 million won. This marks significant growth compared to just 2 PoC projects and 20 m

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04.29 11:07

Happy Department Store Holds Discount Events for May, the Month of Appreciation

Happy Department Store, operated by the Korea Small and Medium Venture Business Distribution Corporation, will hold a variety of promotions in May to boost sales of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) products. During the first and second weeks of May, multiple promotions will take place as part of the Together Festival. In the first week, events will include Labor Day celebrations, the Family Week Appreciation Festival, Children's Day promotions, and special offers on health foods for parents. In the second week of May, events such as the Cosmetic Fair and a Special One-Day event on May 8 will be held. Even after the Together Festival ends, product category-specific discount events are planned for the third to fifth weeks of May. Detailed information about the events, schedules, and more at Happy Department Store can be found on its official website and application. Tae Sik Lee, CEO of the Korea Small and Medium Venture Business Distribution Corporation, said, “Happy Department S

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04.29 10:53

Kyowon Red Pen Targets Early Childhood Educational Kit Market with Launch of "Let's Co!"

On April 29, Kyowon Red Pen announced the official launch of its STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) home-visit class "Let's Co!", marking its full-scale entry into the early childhood educational kit market with a program specialized in expanding creative and convergent thinking skills. "Let's Co!" features the exclusive domestic introduction of the global educational kit brand "KiwiCo's" STEAM kits, and includes theme-linked books and one-on-one home-visit classes with professional instructors. It offers a differentiated curriculum that goes beyond simple kit activities to awaken children's latent cognitive abilities from multiple perspectives. The recommended age range is 2 to 4 years old. The product package consists of 24 types of educational kits, 24 books, 48 playbooks, and 48 home-visit classes, forming a 12-month program. The kits are evenly designed with STEAM elements, integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Kyowon Red Pe

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04.29 10:06

"E-Mobility Regulations Lag Behind Technology"...Ombudsman Visits Yeonggwang Site

Concerns have been raised that current domestic electric mobility (e-mobility) regulations are failing to keep pace with technological advancements or are structurally burdensome for businesses. In response, the Ombudsman for Small and Medium Enterprises has pledged active efforts to drive regulatory innovation. On April 29, the Ombudsman for Small and Medium Enterprises announced that it had visited the Knowledge Industry Center within the Daema Electric Vehicle Industrial Complex in Yeonggwang County, Jeollanam-do, to hold an on-site communication meeting with the Korea Smart Emobility Association and local manufacturers. The Daema Electric Vehicle Industrial Complex has been designated as an "E-Mobility Regulatory Free Zone," and is fostering an ecosystem specialized in small and medium-sized mobility devices such as ultra-compact electric vehicles, electric bicycles, and electric kickboards. During the meeting, the Smart Emobility Association submitted proposals to address key chal

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04.29 10:00

T-Selfpa Holds 'Integrated Subject Play Class Training' for Elementary School Teachers

On April 29, Genius Education and Genius Textbook announced that their teaching and learning support platform, T-Selfpa, will be holding an "Integrated Subject Play Class Training" session for teachers to promote healthy school life and arts & physical education for elementary students. This training is designed for teachers interested in teaching first and second grades of elementary school. It aims to help them build expertise in providing healthy and safe guidance for students’ daily lives, as well as integrating music, art, physical education, and play activities. In particular, the training will be conducted in conjunction with the "2026 Genius T-Selfpa Class Innovation Research Conference," allowing teachers to immediately apply the knowledge gained to their classes. The Integrated Subject Play Class Training will take place on May 30 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sahyang Convergence Gymnasium of Seoul National University of Education. The program will be led by Na Seungbin, a te

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04.29 09:58

Bodyfriend Launches Compact Massagers in Collaboration with KBO

Korea Federation of SMEs Proposes "Top 30 Regulatory Rationalization Measures for SMEs"

First Quarter SME Exports Hit All-Time High at $29.8 Billion

SME Business Sentiment Declines for Second Consecutive Month... May Outlook Falls to 77.6

The Heart of Manufacturing Innovation: Industrial Complexes Meet Startups to Expand Their Global Reach

Happy Department Store Holds Discount Events for May, the Month of Appreciation

Kyowon Red Pen Targets Early Childhood Educational Kit Market with Launch of "Let's Co!"

"E-Mobility Regulations Lag Behind Technology"...Ombudsman Visits Yeonggwang Site

T-Selfpa Holds 'Integrated Subject Play Class Training' for Elementary School Teachers

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