SBA Announces "Era of Small Business Sovereignty" With 1.36 Million Members

2026 Capacity Building Integrated Workshop Held

The Small Business Association (SBA) announced on August 31, 2026, that it held the "2026 Small Business Association Capacity Building Integrated Workshop."

This event took place over two days, from August 31 to September 1, at Sono Belle Cheonan in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. More than 400 participants attended, including SBA industry group members and executives, chapter and branch presidents from across the country, and local staff members. The opening ceremony was attended by Assemblyman Lee Jungmoon of the Democratic Party of Korea.

In his opening address, SBA President Song Chiyoung stated, "The figure of 1.36 million carries with it the potential that small business owners, when united, can change the world." He added, "We will focus all our capabilities on ushering in the 'Era of Small Business Sovereignty,' where the rights and interests of small business owners become central to national policy." The ceremony included a celebration of reaching 1.36 million members and a declaration event for the 'Era of Small Business Sovereignty.'

Photo of the 2026 Small Business Association Capacity Building Integrated Workshop. Small Business Association

During the workshop, a variety of lectures were held to enhance the organization’s ability to respond to policy and on-site issues and to strengthen bonds between members.

On the first day, Professor Choi Kyuwan of Kyung Hee University delivered a special lecture titled "In an Era of Recession, the Power of Small Businesses to Start Anew," followed by a session on legal support for small business owners. In the evening, there was time set aside for "Industry and Regional Exchange," where members of industry organizations and local associations shared their pressing issues and expanded opportunities for cooperation.

Additionally, the SBA presented plaques of appreciation to those who have contributed to the Association’s development, as well as individuals who entered local councils and governments in the June 3 local elections and have been representing the voices of small business owners. On the second day, training to eradicate unfair third-party intervention and an awards ceremony for outstanding local associations were also held.

Through this integrated workshop, the SBA aims to connect the sector-specific expertise of its member organizations with the on-the-ground perspective of regional associations, thereby further strengthening the capacity of the entire organization. The SBA also plans to build a more robust collaborative relationship that will allow the diverse voices of industries and regions to be more effectively conveyed to the government and the National Assembly.

President Song said, "This workshop has provided an opportunity to reaffirm our respective roles and responsibilities, and to strengthen our unity as a single organization. By uniting the strength of 7.9 million small business owners, let us work together to build an era where small business owners are respected and recognized as proud protagonists of Korea’s economy."

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