The Korea Mid-sized Business Federation announced Wednesday that Chairman Choi Jin-sik sent handwritten letters to representatives of more than 160 mid-sized companies across various industries, urging them to join discussions and initiatives aimed at advancing the mid-sized business sector. [Korea Mid-sized Business Federation]
The Korea Mid-sized Business Federation announced Wednesday that Chairman Choi Jin-sik sent handwritten letters to representatives of more than 160 mid-sized companies across various industries, urging them to join discussions and initiatives aimed at advancing the mid-sized business sector. [Korea Mid-sized Business Federation]

Letters target mid-sized firms in K-beauty, food, content and culture

Choi urges 'self-strengthening and solidarity' as membership drive expands

228 policy ideas collected from member visits in first half of year

The Korea Mid-sized Business Federation has launched a membership drive targeting mid-sized companies in the K-beauty, K-food and K-content sectors.

The federation announced Wednesday that Chairman Choi Jin-sik sent handwritten letters Monday to the heads of 169 mid-sized companies across K-industry sectors, asking them to join discussions and activities aimed at advancing the mid-sized business community.

The federation plans to bring on board companies building competitiveness in global markets — including those in K-beauty, K-food, K-content and K-culture — to broaden its industry-based membership and expand dialogue on growth strategies for mid-sized enterprises.

In his letter, Choi said the answer to navigating an era of fierce competition and turbulent international affairs lies in "self-strengthening and solidarity." He added that companies must secure "systematic agility in long-term industrial foundations that guarantee national sustainability through mutually beneficial cooperation."

The number of mid-sized companies in South Korea has grown from 2,979 in 2014 to 6,474, according to the federation. Over the same period, combined sales rose from 483.6 trillion won ($357 billion) to 1,030.5 trillion won, while employment increased from 898,000 to about 1.757 million workers.

The federation said it sees a growing need to strengthen solidarity among mid-sized companies and improve their capacity to respond to policy challenges posed by the spread of AI, protectionism and the restructuring of global supply chains.

The federation has also been deepening its engagement with existing members. In the first half of this year, it carried out a member-visit project involving all secretariat staff. Through the initiative, it collected 228 policy innovation ideas, registered them in a dedicated grievance channel for mid-sized businesses, and submitted recommendations for regulatory improvements to the government and relevant agencies.

"When more mid-sized companies speak with one voice, a rational business environment will take shape — one that promotes the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises and supports their leap to becoming globally specialized firms," Choi said. "Please share the experience you have built on the ground to help lay the foundation for a great economic leap forward."


hong@heraldcorp.com