Eunkyung Kim: "Regional Relocation Challenging When Considering Vulnerable Groups"

Pursuing Smile Microcredit Partnership with SK Group
Organizational Integration Bill for Korea Inclusive Finance Agency and Credit Recovery Committee to Be Submitted Soon
Functional Integration Already Underway

Eunkyung Kim, President of the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency and Chair of the Credit Recovery Committee, stated regarding the potential relocation of the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency and the Credit Recovery Committee to a regional area, "From the perspective of consumers, considering the distribution of vulnerable groups and accessibility to financial services, regional relocation is not an easy matter."

Eun Kyung Kim, President of the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency and Chairman of the Credit Recovery Committee, is holding a press briefing on the 18th. Courtesy of the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency.

At a press conference held during the opening ceremony of the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency Media Lounge in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 18th, President Kim said, "A significant portion of the country's population resides in the Seoul metropolitan area, and many members of vulnerable groups who use inclusive finance services also live in the metropolitan area." She added, "One might think that more vulnerable people are located in regional areas, but since job opportunities and livelihoods are concentrated in the capital region, a substantial portion of the vulnerable groups are also found in Seoul and its vicinity. It is important to consider the distribution of these vulnerable populations."

President Kim revealed that she has submitted a proposal to Hanwha Group to expand participation in Smile Microcredit. She explained, "Hanwha Group has many defense-related businesses in Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do, so I made a proposal to utilize Smile Microcredit in connection with those businesses." She also plans to approach SK Group in the near future. "As the AI industry develops, youth employment issues may arise, so I believe there is potential for Smile Microcredit to support young people," she said.

Regarding the integration of the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency and the Credit Recovery Committee, Kim stated, "Organizational integration must be carried out through legislation, and since the agreement and empathy of both organizations' members and labor unions are necessary, we are approaching this cautiously. All related bills have been prepared and will soon be submitted to the National Assembly," she added.

She further explained that functional integration is already underway. Kim said, "We are developing manuals so that Korea Inclusive Finance Agency employees can understand Credit Recovery Committee work, and vice versa, allowing both to connect customers with each other's services. Functional integration refers to building a cooperative framework so that both institutions can effectively provide services together at a single location," she explained.

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