Small Business Community Delivers June 3 Local Election Policy Agenda to Leader Jeong Cheongrae

Ahead of the June 3 local elections, the small business community held a meeting with Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and delivered the "22 Core Policy Tasks" aimed at resolving key issues facing small business owners.

Jung Cheong-rae, the party leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Song Chi-young, the president of the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise, are participating in the "June 3 Local Election Small Business Policy Task Delivery Ceremony" held at the National Assembly in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise

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On April 28, the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business announced that it held the "June 3 Local Election Small Business Policy Task Delivery Ceremony" at the office of the party leader in the main building of the National Assembly in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheongrae, Policy Committee Chairperson Han Jeongae, Kim Wonyi, secretary of the National Assembly's Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs, and Startups Committee, as well as Song Chiyoung, chairman of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business, and the heads of the 17 regional branches of the federation from across the country.

This ceremony was organized to propose effective policies aimed at improving the business environment for small businesses and revitalizing the economy, ahead of the upcoming local elections.

Chairman Song stated, "According to a recent report, about 48% of self-employed people earn less than 10 million won per year in operating profit," adding, "With high inflation, high interest rates, and the impact of the Middle East war further driving up the prices of raw materials such as cooking oil, the current crisis cannot be overcome with merely token support."

He particularly emphasized that the June 3 local elections represent a critical juncture that will determine the survival of small businesses, and strongly urged Leader Jeong to enact legislation and ensure government adoption of the 22 policy tasks. Key items include support for digital transformation, expansion of regional credit guarantee financial support, and scaling up field manager support.

Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Song Chi-young, chairman of the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises, are participating in the "June 3 Local Election Small Business Policy Agenda Delivery Ceremony" held at the National Assembly in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises

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He also proposed establishing a legal foundation to strengthen the organizational capacity and social status of small business owners. "To secure the rights to organize and negotiate for small business owners, as emphasized by President Lee Jaemyung, it is essential to revise the Fair Trade Act, which currently prevents small operators from organizing," he said, adding, "I hope the Democratic Party will take the lead in supporting the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business, a legally recognized economic organization, to help small business owners unite and negotiate."

He voiced clear concerns about the political issue of expanding the application of the Labor Standards Act. Chairman Song said, "If the Labor Standards Act is extended to businesses with fewer than five employees, or if the 'Basic Rights for Workers Act' is pursued without first addressing key issues such as the abolition of the weekly holiday allowance, small businesses will face an existential crisis," requesting that the party reconsider this matter.

He also proposed establishing a permanent communication channel between the Democratic Party and the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business to promote economic recovery. Leader Jeong and other party officials stated that they would thoroughly review the policy tasks received and cooperate to develop effective measures that small business owners can truly benefit from.

The "22 Core Policy Tasks for Small Businesses for the June 3 Local Elections" delivered that day focus on four major agendas: making employment and labor policies more realistic, addressing polarization, establishing a social safety net, and building a fair ecosystem. The agenda also includes region-specific and sector-specific practical issues. Representatives from all 17 regional branches of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business participated, reflecting local and industry-specific demands.

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