Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups Lee So-young visited a traditional market to assess living costs and hear from merchants during her first field visit since taking office. She also discussed the need to expand benefits for the Onnuri gift certificate program and improve refund events for agricultural and marine products.
The ministry announced that on September 23, Minister Lee visited the National Merchants Association in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, and the Nammun Market, where she met with merchants to discuss ways to recover the economy and strengthen the competitiveness of traditional markets. This was her first field visit since her appointment, which was approved by President Lee Jae-myung the day before.
The Nammun Market, which Minister Lee visited, is a representative traditional market in the area, formed by a community of nearby markets including Yeongdong Market and Motgol Market. It was selected for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' 100-Year Market Development Project in 2025, focusing on collaborative content development and infrastructure improvements.
Minister Lee first visited the National Merchants Association office in Yeongdong Market, where she encouraged the staff. She then held a discussion with the association's executives and merchant leaders to explore strategies for economic recovery and enhancing the competitiveness of traditional markets.
She stated that she would quickly prepare a plan to reform the Onnuri gift certificate program to expand benefits for traditional markets. To enhance the disaster response capabilities of traditional markets, she plans to establish a tailored support system based on different types of disasters and strengthen support for facilities and equipment to prevent disasters.
Regarding the Onnuri gift certificate, she said, "More benefits should be provided for purchases made in traditional markets to attract and stimulate consumption. I understand that the government plans to announce a reform plan in the coming days. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups should take the lead to ensure that the Onnuri gift certificate is used more in traditional markets."
She explained that there have been various opinions regarding the agricultural and marine product refund events held during holidays, as not all markets are included in the program.
"Since this is a project promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, it is not solely a matter of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups," she said. "I will listen to the voices of traditional market merchants and work with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Oceans to ensure that we can provide more assistance starting from next Lunar New Year."
Afterward, Minister Lee moved to Motgol Market, where she checked the prices of essential goods and directly purchased items while listening to the merchants' concerns. She remarked, "I find it meaningful to visit traditional markets as my first action after taking office and to hear the voices from the field directly. I will strengthen practical support centered on the field so that traditional markets can become vibrant hubs driving the local economy beyond just being living spaces for residents."
Previously, Minister Lee stated on social media that she would seek answers regarding policies for small and medium enterprises, venture companies, and small business owners directly from the field. She added, "I will not work as if resolving complaints while being trapped in specific interests, but will make rational decisions based on the overall benefit to the public."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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