Lee So-young, the nominee for Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups, stated on September 15 that she wants to engage in public discussions with the Financial Services Commission chairman regarding policies affecting the KOSDAQ, which is primarily composed of small and medium enterprises. She also expressed a desire to debate startup regulations with fellow ministers during cabinet meetings.
During her confirmation hearing at the National Assembly, when asked about three key tasks she would like to tackle if appointed, Lee said, "I want to work in a new way."
Lee, who is in her 40s, emphasized that the public should expect a dynamic approach from her, rather than a traditional, rigid management style. She remarked, "I may not always fit the conventional mold, but I aim to work energetically and confront challenges head-on."
Additionally, she proposed a systematic approach to reducing the cost burden on small businesses by quantifying their expenses. "Small businesses are suffering under an unsustainable cost structure, and I want to explore solutions that the Ministry of SMEs has not previously considered," she asserted.
Lee noted, "I believe it is possible to develop scientific policies that can predict how much small businesses are spending compared to five years ago and what their costs will look like next year."
She also expressed concerns about the reduction in the budget for the Onnuri gift certificate program, which impacts small businesses in local markets. "The 2027 government budget shows a decrease in the Onnuri gift certificate budget while the budget for local currency has increased," she explained. "Local currencies can only be used within their respective regions, so they do not facilitate the flow of funds from metropolitan areas to rural areas."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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