Lee So-young, the new Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, emphasized the need to address polarization among small businesses, ventures, and self-employed individuals during her inauguration speech on September 28.
At the ceremony held at the Government Sejong Center, Minister Lee stated, "The biggest challenge facing our economy right now is polarization. At the same time, the transition to artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping national competitiveness, and this rapid shift could either widen or narrow the gap."
She noted, "The divide between large and small enterprises, between the capital region and local areas, and between major platforms and small businesses is growing. The fruits of growth are concentrated among a few, while the warmth of that growth does not reach the majority of workers in the field."
Minister Lee asserted, "If ventures and startups lead innovation and small businesses and self-employed individuals become agents of change, the AI transition can be an opportunity for a new leap forward. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is the department that will set the direction at this crossroads. Addressing polarization is the Ministry's task."
To achieve this, she emphasized the importance of involving small businesses from the planning stages of national strategic industries and large projects, ensuring that national investments and innovations benefit the entire industrial ecosystem rather than just large corporations. She stated, "The Ministry must support small businesses to ensure they do not fall behind in the AI transition and in responding to carbon neutrality."
Additionally, she pledged to eliminate unreasonable regulations that hinder corporate growth. "I will become a 'regulatory reform minister' who stands on the side of the field and innovation, even if it means clashing with existing industries or practices. I will spare no effort in discussing and persuading departments with regulatory authority," she said.
Minister Lee concluded, "I will ask many questions, listen extensively, and engage in thorough discussions, taking responsibility at the forefront. Let’s work together energetically, living up to the name of the startup within the government."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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