South Korean and Japanese SMEs Discuss Cooperation on AX, Global Expansion

'Korea-Japan Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Economic Forum' Held in Seoul
Follow-up Exchanges Continue, Led by Industry Groups

Small and medium-sized enterprises in South Korea and Japan discussed ways to cooperate on artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation and global expansion through shuttle exchanges.

The Korea Federation of SMEs said it held the 2nd Korea-Japan SME Economic Forum on the 14th at KBIZ Hall, jointly with the National Federation of Small Business Associations of Japan. From third left: Noh Yongseok, First Vice Minister of SMEs and Startups; Hiroshi Mori, chairman of the National Federation of Small Business Associations of Japan; and Kim Kimoon, chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs. KBIZ

The Korea Federation of SMEs (KBIZ) said it held the 2nd Korea-Japan Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Economic Forum on October 14 at KBIZ Hall, jointly with the National Federation of Small Business Associations of Japan. About 30 people attended, including Kim Kimoon, chairman of KBIZ; Roh Yongseok, vice minister of SMEs and Startups; and representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises from various industries. About 30 people from Japan also took part, including Mori Hiroshi, chairman of the National Federation of Small Business Associations of Japan; Kazuo Chujo, minister at the Embassy of Japan in Korea; and officials from Japan's Small and Medium Enterprise Agency.

The forum was organized to build an ongoing framework for cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises in South Korea and Japan through private-sector shuttle exchanges. Following the first forum in Tokyo, Japan, in 2025, the second event was held in Seoul in 2026, with the two sides agreeing to expand the foundation for regular exchanges.

At the forum, participants discussed policy and industry-level responses to key challenges facing small and medium-sized enterprises in both countries amid a rapidly changing global business environment. In the first presentation, Shim Jaeyoon, director general for global growth policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, proposed areas for cooperation between South Korean and Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises that would draw on the strengths of both countries, focusing on small-business policy and global growth strategies.

Next, Hiraku Fuse, vice president of Fuji Filter Korea, presented a case of successful global expansion that combined Japan's strength in quality management with South Korea's strength in productivity. Hong Jinhun, managing director at LG CNS, proposed a cooperation model between large and small businesses based on examples of AI transformation (AX) at small and medium-sized enterprises. Norihiko Saeki, a director at Japan's Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, explained key challenges facing Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises, including measures to pass on price increases, mergers and acquisitions and business succession, as well as AI transformation and digitalization, and the policies addressing them.

The South Korea-Japan SME Forum is leading to practical cooperation between industry associations and small and medium-sized enterprises. Following the forum in 2025, industry groups in both countries have continued follow-up exchanges in fields such as ready-mixed concrete, baking and auto parts in 2026.

Kim Kimoon, chairman of KBIZ, said, "Small and medium-sized enterprises form the foundation of the economies and industries of both South Korea and Japan, so it is important for them to meet regularly and share the challenges they face and possible solutions. The forum began in Tokyo in 2025 and continued in Seoul this year, while exchanges and cooperation across industries have also expanded. We will continue to create opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises in both countries to build new partnerships by drawing on their technology, experience and networks."

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