Small Business Owners from Across the Country Gather in Busan... "2026 Korea Small Business Owners' Conference" Opens

Held at BEXCO in Busan on October 23-24
About 1,000 small business owners attend; 147 government awards presented
Programs include product exhibitions and sales, plus hands-on activities

The country’s largest event for small business owners, the 2026 Korea Small Business Owners' Conference, opened at BEXCO in Busan on October 23.

The Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME) said it held the 2026 Korea Small Business Owners' Conference at BEXCO in Busan on October 23 under the theme “A Greater Korea, Made by Small Business Owners.” The two-day event runs through October 24 at Hall 4 of BEXCO Exhibition Center 2 and the outdoor exhibition area on the second floor. A total of 153 small businesses and associations from across the country are taking part, with about 280 booths in operation.

Now in its 21st year, the conference was organized to mark November 5, a statutory anniversary known as Small Business Owners' Day. It is co-hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and Busan Metropolitan City, and co-organized by the KFME and the Small Enterprise and Market Service (SEMAS). About 1,000 small business owners from across the country attended the opening ceremony, including Vice Minister of SMEs and Startups Lee Byung-kwon, Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo, and KFME Chairman Song Chiyoung.

Song Chiyoung, chairman of the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprises, delivers opening remarks at the 2026 Small Business Owners' Conference, held at BEXCO in Busan on the 23rd. Korea Federation of Micro Enterprises.

In his opening remarks, Chairman Song said, “The 8.11 million small business owners account for more than 95% of all businesses in Korea. They are the heart of the national economy and a reservoir of employment that has stemmed waves of unemployment whenever a crisis has struck.” He stressed, “It is time to recognize small businesses as a bona fide industry in their own right and shift the focus of policy from ‘how much support to provide’ to ‘what rights to guarantee.’”

In his welcoming remarks, Mayor Jeon said, “A small business owner’s shop is a family’s livelihood and the starting point for protecting the local economy,” adding, “The local economy can thrive only when small business owners are doing better.” He continued, “This conference brings together a century of experience in small business and the ideas of young entrepreneurs taking on new markets,” and said, “I hope it will be a practical event where people can share their know-how, quality products, and technologies.”

Award winners pose for a commemorative photo at the 2026 Small Business Owners' Convention, held at BEXCO in Busan on the 23rd. Small Enterprise and Market Service (SEMAS)

In his congratulatory remarks, Vice Minister Lee said, “Alongside the ongoing burden of high interest rates and rising raw material prices, the digital transformation (DX) and changes in consumer trends are also advancing rapidly.” He added, “The Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to stand with small business owners so their ambitions are not stifled and they can turn crises into opportunities for greater growth.” He also said, “We will help ensure that the benefits of growth achieved by large companies and small and venture businesses reach traditional markets, neighborhood commercial districts, and the places where small business owners live and work.”

At the opening ceremony, a total of 147 government awards were presented to small business owners and others who contributed to revitalizing local economies and improving the rights and interests of small business owners. The awards comprised one Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, one Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, two Industrial Service Medals, seven Presidential Commendations, 10 Prime Minister’s Commendations, and 126 ministerial- and vice-ministerial-level commendations. Ahn Seung-bae, owner of Shinyoung Gas Station, received the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, while Song Gyeong-deok, owner of Sanha Restaurant, received the Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit.

Visitors look around the event booths in Hall 4 of Exhibition Center 2 at BEXCO in Busan, where the 2026 Small Business Owners' Convention was held on the 23rd. Photo by Choi Hogyeong.

The event features a range of programs, including an exhibition and sales fair for outstanding small-business products, demonstrations of leading technologies and skills from various industries, and the Busan Small Business Livelihood and Innovation Forum. The product exhibition and sales fair is divided into several zones: the 100-Year Small Business Owners Zone, Local Businesses Zone, Paldo Masterpieces Zone, Busan Special Exhibition Zone, Young Small Business Owners Zone, and R&D Lifestyle Innovation Small Business Owners Zone. The exhibition halls showcase locally distinctive foods and household goods, as well as handicrafts and innovative products.

Seven industry groups, including the Makeup and Beauty Association and the Central Association of Tattooists, are taking part in the demonstrations of leading technologies and skills. Each group is introducing small business owners’ skills and expertise through hands-on programs that visitors can participate in. Other events include the Busan Small Business Livelihood and Innovation Forum, labor and legal education for small business owners, and Small Business Owners' Live Commerce Day.

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