Ministry of SMEs Finalizes 1.69 Trillion Won Supplementary Budget... Support for Export SMEs, Livelihood Stabilization, and Startups

Support for Export-oriented SMEs: 462.2 Billion Won
Stabilizing Livelihoods of Small Business Owners: 495.2 Billion Won
Creating a Startup Boom: 671.9 Billion Won
AI Transition for Local SME Manufacturers: 61 Billion Won

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that the first supplementary budget for 2026 was finalized at 1.6903 trillion won after passing the plenary session of the National Assembly on April 10.

This supplementary budget is structured to provide focused support in four major areas: 462.2 billion won to minimize the damage suffered by export-oriented SMEs due to the Middle East conflict; 495.2 billion won for stabilizing livelihoods of small business owners and others; 671.9 billion won to create a startup boom and support youth employment; and 61 billion won for the transition to artificial intelligence (AI) by local small and medium-sized manufacturers.

Meanwhile, during the National Assembly's review, there were suggestions to expand the Onnuri gift certificate program using resources from the Small Merchant Market Promotion Fund in order to boost consumption in traditional markets and local commercial districts. In response, the ministry stated that it will discuss specific details regarding timing and scale with fiscal authorities in the future.

Minister Han Sung-sook said, "We will promptly execute the support budget reflected in this supplementary budget to help stabilize the management of export companies and small business owners experiencing difficulties due to the Middle East conflict, and to promote the innovative growth of startups and local companies that create youth jobs."

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