Seoul Metropolitan Council chair attends 2026 Small Business Day ceremony to encourage small business owners who sustain the local economy
'Sweat and effort should translate into fair income' — chair stresses foundation for sustainable growth
Council to pursue effective policy and regulatory reform, with commitment to securing support budget for small businesses
As high prices and sluggish consumer spending weigh on small business owners, the Seoul Metropolitan Council has pledged to strengthen the foundations of the local economy through field-centered policy support and regulatory reform. The council said it views small business owners not merely as recipients of aid but as core economic actors sustaining Seoul's economy, and that it will focus its legislative efforts on creating a stable business environment and building a foundation for sustainable growth.
Planning and Economy Committee Chair Lee Jun-hyung of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker representing Gangdong District 3, attended the 2026 Small Business Day ceremony at Seoul Plaza on Friday afternoon, expressing gratitude for the hard work of small business owners and emphasizing the council's role in developing substantive support policies.
The ceremony was held under the theme "Small shops creating a better everyday life — Seoul, a special city for quality of life," marking the statutory Small Business Day on Nov. 5. It was organized to recognize the role of small business owners who have sustained neighborhood commerce and the everyday economic lives of citizens despite difficult economic conditions.
The event highlighted not only the economic value of small businesses but also their social contributions to maintaining local communities and revitalizing alley commercial districts. Organizers said neighborhood shops, traditional markets and everyday service establishments form a vital base for the local economy, underscoring the need for policy attention to support their stable operations.
Vendor and promotional booths showcasing products made or sold by Seoul-area small business owners were also set up at the venue, giving citizens a chance to browse and purchase quality goods while providing an opportunity for small business owners and consumers to meet and interact on-site.
In his congratulatory remarks, Lee expressed appreciation for the dedication of small business owners who continue to hold their ground despite difficult circumstances. He said policy support is needed to ensure that their sweat and effort translate into fair economic rewards and lead not only to stable operations but to sustainable growth.
The Planning and Economy Committee also made clear its commitment to support at the committee level, saying it will closely examine relevant regulations and budgets to ensure that small business policies move beyond declaratory gestures and deliver results that owners can feel in their day-to-day operations.
To that end, the committee said it will work with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to identify policies that small business owners need and will strengthen the council's role in ensuring that on-the-ground demands are reflected in regulatory reform and budget planning.
Also attending the ceremony were Planning and Economy Committee members Park Gyu-nam, Yoo Ju-dong, Lee Young-sook, Chae Yu-mi and Heo Yun-jeong.
After the ceremony, the lawmakers toured the small business vendor and promotional booths, examining products and exchanging views with those present. They listened to the operational difficulties faced by small business owners and expressed shared recognition of the need for support to strengthen the competitiveness of local commercial districts.
"The Seoul Metropolitan Council's Planning and Economy Committee will join forces with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to advance policies and regulatory improvements that provide real help to small business owners and to ensure the necessary budget is secured," Lee said. "We will run together and celebrate together so that small business owners are respected as proud economic actors and can open a hopeful future."
7toy7@heraldcorp.com
