Minister Lee Soyoung: "We Will Identify Ways for SMEs to Take a Leading Role in National Growth Projects"

Emphasizes SMEs' role in mega projects
"We will speak up more so SMEs can have a stronger voice"

Lee Soyoung, Minister of SMEs and Startups, said at the 2026 Korea SMEs Leaders Forum in Jeju on October 20, "We will expand opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in national growth projects."

Lee Soyoung, Minister of SMEs and Startups, delivers welcoming remarks at the 2026 Korea Small Business Leaders Forum held at Lotte Hotel Jeju on the 20th. Korea Federation of SMEs.

Minister Lee visited the Korea SMEs Leaders Forum at Lotte Hotel Jeju that day and praised the efforts of small and medium-sized business owners facing new challenges amid changes in the global trade environment, supply chain uncertainties, and advances in AI technology. She added that the government would support them through field-oriented policies so that small and medium-sized enterprises could become a new growth engine for the Korean economy.

"I believe it is essential for large-scale investment projects to highlight the role of small and medium-sized enterprises, rather than being discussed solely around anchor companies, and to identify ways for them to take a leading role," Minister Lee said.

"Immediately after taking office, I shared my concerns with President Lee Jae-myung, and the government broadly agreed. Starting next month, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups is scheduled to participate as the lead ministry in meetings on mega projects," she said. "We will continue to identify more ways to fulfill this role."

"The Ministry of SMEs and Startups will speak up more, make stronger arguments, and seek a greater role so that small and medium-sized enterprises can have a bigger role and a stronger voice," Minister Lee said. "With the support and cooperation of small and medium-sized business leaders, we will be able to do more."

"Guided by the principle that 'policy starts in the field,' we will faithfully reflect the voices of small and medium-sized business owners in our policies and create an environment where businesses can innovate and take on challenges without restraint," Minister Lee said.

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