Korea revamps Onnuri gift certificates to attract tourists, revive local markets The overhaul will link QR payments to Alipay, reshape shopper incentives and broaden support for traditional markets and small businesses. 2026.10.1
University students bring practical AI solutions to cash-strapped small factories across Korea A Chungbuk National University project shows how regional campuses could help small manufacturers adopt AI amid labor shortages and limited budgets. 2026.8.25
Venture investments touch new high in first half Venture funding reached 8.87 trillion won ($6.34 billion) in the first half of 2026, driven by major investments in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and robotics. 2026.8.19
Retailers push back on concessions tied to early-morning delivery reform Major chains said the proposed safeguards for small merchants, including price thresholds, wholesale distribution and a support fund, would make early-morning delivery reform unworkable. 2026.8.18
Startup visa opens for applications on Thursday The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said it will work with the Ministry of Justice to review and recommend applicants for the D-8-4 (S). 2024.11.6
Korea to commit $10 million to joint investment fund with Saudi Arabia The $160 million fund will be partially used to support local start-ups entering the Middle Eastern market. 2023.6.12
Start-up conference held at a very troubled time The ComeUp Festival, Korea’s biggest start-up event, kicked off Wednesday at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Dongdaemun District, eastern Seoul. 2022.11.9
SME ministry proposes fund of funds for venture capital The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced plans to create a more diverse investment environment for venture capital (VC) Friday, with an aim to increase funds invested by 8 trillion won ($5.6 billion) per year and establish a public-backed... 2022.11.4
Start-ups to get $925 million of taxpayer money over 5 years The Ministry of SMEs and Startups will commit more than 2 trillion won ($1.4 billion) over five years to support 1,000 promising startups in a bid to accelerate the growth of high-tech firms in areas including semiconductor, bio, cyber security... 2022.11.3
Korea's biggest start-up event to become private-led event The government-led ComeUp festival, the biggest start-up event in Korea, will be organized by a private organization starting this year. 2022.10.18
![This file photo provided by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups shows SMEs Minister Oh Young-ju (4th from L) at the opening ceremony for the Global Startup Center in southern Seoul on July 31, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SAL [YONHAP]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/10835174.jpg?imageId=10835174&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![Lee Young, left, Minister of SMEs and Startups, and Yousef Al Benyan, chairman of the board of directors at Saudi Arabia's SME Bank, during a fund establishment ceremony held at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Riyadh on Sunday [MINISTRY OF SMES AND STARTUPS]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/10936169.jpg?imageId=10936169&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![Lee Young, Minister of SMEs and Startups, speaks at the ComeUp 2022 start-up festival Wednesday, in Dongdaemun District, eastern Seoul. [MINISTRY OF SMES AND STARTUPS]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/11743194.jpg?imageId=11743194&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![Minister of SMEs and Startups Lee Young gives a presentation on 'Measures to Create a Dynamic Venture Investment Ecosystem' at TIPS Town in Gangnam District, western Seoul on Friday. [MINISTRY OF SMES AND STARTUPS]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/11094434.jpg?imageId=11094434&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![Minister of SMEs and Startups Lee Young speaks during a briefing at the Seoul Center for Creative Economy & Innovation in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Thursday. [MINISTRY OF SMES AND STARTUPS]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/10299501.jpg?imageId=10299501&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![From left: Jake Park, Socar CEO and chairman of the Korea Startup Forum (KSF); Lee Young, Minister of SMEs and Startups (MSS) and Choi Sung-jin, KSF CEO, during a press briefing on ComeUp 2022 held on Tuesday in Gangnam District, southern Seoul [MSS]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/10286582.jpg?imageId=10286582&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)