Minister Lee So-young attends Jeju SME leaders forum, stresses role of small firms

Government to expand SME participation in large-scale national investment projects

Ministry to tackle unfair regulations, pursue physical AI-based autonomous manufacturing strategy

Minister of SMEs and Startups Lee So-young applauds at the dinner of the 2026 SME Leaders Forum held at Lotte Hotel Jeju on Tuesday. [Ministry of SMEs and Startups]
Minister of SMEs and Startups Lee So-young applauds at the dinner of the 2026 SME Leaders Forum held at Lotte Hotel Jeju on Tuesday. [Ministry of SMEs and Startups]

Minister of SMEs and Startups Lee So-young said Tuesday that small and medium-sized enterprises, not just a handful of large conglomerates, must be the driving force behind South Korea's new growth story in the age of the AI revolution.

Lee made the remarks that afternoon at the 2026 SME Leaders Forum held at Lotte Hotel Jeju. "I believe it is my responsibility to ensure that SMEs stand at the center of growth and take on a leading role," she said.

Lee said SMEs must play a stronger role in the government's major investment initiatives — including the three mega projects, the five-pole three-special growth engine plan and the K-GX project — which are set to draw tens of thousands of trillions of won over the next decade. "It is absolutely necessary not just to discuss these projects around anchor conglomerates, but to highlight the role of SMEs and find ways for them to take the lead," she said.

Lee said she had conveyed this message directly to President Lee Jae Myung. "Right after taking office, I shared this sense of urgency with President Lee Jae Myung, and it was well received within the government," she said. "The Ministry of SMEs and Startups has been designated as a lead ministry for the president-chaired mega project meetings, and SMEs are set to join those meetings starting next month."

She added that the ministry would speak up more forcefully on behalf of small businesses. "We will advocate louder and seek a bigger role so that SMEs can have a greater voice and greater presence," she said.

Lee also encouraged SME leaders navigating new challenges brought on by shifts in the global trade environment, supply chain uncertainty and advances in AI technology, and outlined the ministry's policy direction to support their growth.

She said the ministry would actively identify and reform regulations that stifle corporate innovation and risk-taking, and expand opportunities for capable SMEs to participate in national growth projects.

In addition, the ministry plans to broaden support for carbon neutrality efforts, develop and implement a physical AI-based autonomous manufacturing strategy, and strengthen administrative sanctions against technology theft to make them more effective.

"Under the principle that policy must start from the field, we will faithfully reflect the voices of SME leaders in our policies and create an environment where businesses can innovate and take on challenges freely," Lee said. She called for the support of SME leaders, saying, "This is not something I can do alone — if SME leaders rally together and back these efforts, we will be able to accomplish far more."

The SME Leaders Forum, hosted by the Korea Federation of SMEs, is an event where SME representatives from various industries and regions share economic and social issues and discuss policy directions. This year's forum runs through Friday in Jeju under the theme "Together with SMEs, toward becoming one of the world's top three AI powers," with about 400 SME executives and representatives in attendance.


boo@heraldcorp.com