SME Archives | Be Korea-savvy
Small Business Owners Operate 6.5 Years, Accumulate 100 Million Won in Debt Before Closure

Small Business Owners Operate 6.5 Years, Accumulate 100 Million Won in Debt Before Closure

SEOUL, March 20 (Korea Bizwire) – Owners of small businesses in South Korea typically operate for an average of 6 years and 6 months before closing shop, accumulating approximately 100 million won in debt during their business lifecycle, according to findings released today by the Korea Federation of SMEs. The data comes from a survey of [...]

Majority of Small Firms Struggle to Meet Korean Carbon Reduction Goals

Majority of Small Firms Struggle to Meet Korean Carbon Reduction Goals

SEOUL, Feb. 20 (Korea Bizwire) — A new survey has revealed that 92.8% of South Korean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) believe they cannot meet national greenhouse gas reduction targets within the designated timeframe. The Korea Federation of SMEs announced these findings on February 19, based on a survey of 500 manufacturing SMEs conducted last year. [...]

Korean Large Companies Outpace Japan, EU in Wages but Face Growing SME Gap

Korean Large Companies Outpace Japan, EU in Wages but Face Growing SME Gap

SEOUL, Feb. 17 (Korea Bizwire) — A new analysis has revealed that South Korea’s large companies offer significantly higher wages and wage growth rates compared to their counterparts in Japan and the European Union. According to a report released February 16 by the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF), the annual total wages at large Korean companies, excluding [...]

South Korean SMEs Struggle Amid Rising Dollar, Labor Rule Changes

South Korean SMEs Struggle Amid Rising Dollar, Labor Rule Changes

SEOUL, Dec. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — As the won-dollar exchange rate soars to nearly 1,500 won, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea are grappling with mounting challenges, including volatile currency markets and the looming enforcement of stricter labor regulations.  The steep rise in the exchange rate—up from the 1,300-won range earlier this year—has [...]

Political Instability in South Korea Hits Small Exporters Hard, Survey Finds

Political Instability in South Korea Hits Small Exporters Hard, Survey Finds

SEOUL, Dec. 19 (Korea Bizwire) – Nearly one-third of South Korea’s small and medium-sized exporters report being negatively impacted by the country’s ongoing political turmoil, according to a survey conducted by the Korea Federation of SMEs. The survey, conducted from December 10 to 13 among 513 exporting SMEs, revealed that 26.3% of respondents had experienced [...]

90% of South Korean SMEs Not Using AI, Survey Finds

90% of South Korean SMEs Not Using AI, Survey Finds

SEOUL, Nov. 5 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent survey has revealed that an overwhelming majority of South Korean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have yet to embrace artificial intelligence technology, highlighting a significant digital divide in the country’s business landscape. According to the results of a recent survey released on November 4 by the Korea Federation [...]

South Korea Launches Initiative to Boost K-Beauty SMEs in Global Market

South Korea Launches Initiative to Boost K-Beauty SMEs in Global Market

SEOUL, Jul. 25 (Korea Bizwire) – The South Korean government has joined forces with the cosmetics industry to nurture small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the K-Beauty sector, a move that aims to solidify the country’s position in the global beauty market.  Korean cosmetics, already a top export item for SMEs, have gained worldwide popularity. On [...]

Alibaba.com to Launch Dedicated Website for S. Korean SMEs in August

Alibaba.com to Launch Dedicated Website for S. Korean SMEs in August

SEOUL, Jul. 22 (Korea Bizwire) — Alibaba.com, China’s largest online marketplace, said Monday it will open an exclusive website for South Korean companies next month, reflecting a growing demand from B2B buyers for Korean-made products. Korean products have been available at the Chinese platform, but there has been no such site that showcases only the [...]

Gov’t to Extend Tax Incentives, Tailored Support for SMEs’ Scale-up

Gov’t to Extend Tax Incentives, Tailored Support for SMEs’ Scale-up

SEOUL, Jun. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — The government will extend greater tax benefits and tailored support to smaller companies to help them become second-tier midsized firms in an effort to create quality jobs and spur growth momentum, the finance ministry said Monday. A set of such supportive measures were presented during an economic ministers’ meeting [...]