In a statement on July 1, the association said, "We express our welcome and expectations on behalf of the 7.9 million small business owners across the country regarding the appointment of Prime Minister Han."
The association noted, "As a first-generation IT expert and former CEO of Naver, Prime Minister Han has proven her leadership at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. Her appointment is expected to revitalize small businesses facing multiple crises and lead innovative growth in the South Korean economy." It added that Han has been a pioneer in fostering cooperation between online platforms and small businesses since her time as CEO of Naver, contributing to the digital transformation of small enterprises through initiatives like expanding the 'Naver Partners Square' for education and digital support, building online infrastructure, and organizing joint promotional events.
Furthermore, the association highlighted her achievements during her tenure as Minister of SMEs and Startups, including the introduction of a dedicated second vice minister for small businesses, the promotion of the 'Everyone's Local Economy' project, and the expansion of cooperative payback programs, which have delivered tangible results as a cooperation and innovation expert, making her an ideal candidate for the role of Prime Minister under the Lee Jae-myung administration.
The association emphasized that the small business sector is currently facing a critical situation due to high inflation, high interest rates, high exchange rates, sluggish domestic demand, and minimum wage burdens. It stated, "Given the serious circumstances, the expectations of small business owners are particularly high for Prime Minister Han, who understands the value of public-private cooperation better than anyone else."
In conclusion, the association expressed strong hope that Prime Minister Han, based on her ability to establish timely measures that reflect the voices of the field and her commitment to innovation, will create an economic environment conducive to cooperation and restore the growth ladder for small businesses, thereby fostering a 'South Korea where everyone grows together.'
Meanwhile, President Lee Jae-myung presented the appointment certificate to Prime Minister Han on the same day. The inauguration ceremony is scheduled to take place on July 2 at the Government Sejong Building.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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