Comprehensive consultation sessions for small business owners facing management difficulties — starting 28 August in Daejeon and Sejong, free of charge in 14 regions nationwide until the end of October
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is holding free 'comprehensive consultation sessions to overcome management difficulties' for small business owners in 14 regions nationwide from 28 August in Daejeon and Sejong until the end of October, offering consultations in one place on policy funds, debt adjustment, winding up a business and getting back on their feet.
Key facts
| Period | From 28 August 2026 in Daejeon and Sejong, held in sequence until the end of October |
|---|---|
| Eligibility and cost | Any small business owner located in the region concerned may take part free of charge |
| Consultation areas | One-to-one tailored consultations with experts in each field on policy funds (loans), credit guarantees, debt adjustment, winding up a business, employment and re-startup support, and labour and marketing consulting |
| Additional service | A free 'management diagnosis report' analysing matters such as the state of the commercial district and sales trends |
| Regions covered (14) | Daejeon and Sejong, Seoul and Gyeonggi, Incheon, Gangwon, Chungnam, Chungbuk, Jeonbuk, Gwangju and Jeonnam, Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongnam, Daegu, Gyeongbuk, Jeju |
| Schedules and enquiries | Regional schedules are to be announced on the Small Enterprise and Market Service website (www.semas.or.kr) — integrated call centre 1533-0100 or the regional New Start Support Centres for small business owners |
Last checked:
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said on 26 August that it would hold 'comprehensive consultation sessions for small business owners to overcome management difficulties' in sequence across the country from 28 August in Daejeon and Sejong until the end of October. Experts in each field visit the regions in person and provide one-to-one tailored consultations in one place on policy funds (loans), credit guarantees, debt adjustment, winding up a business, employment and re-startup support, and labour and marketing consulting. Small business owners who take part are also given a free 'management diagnosis report' analysing matters such as the state of their commercial district and sales trends. Any small business owner located in the region concerned can take part free of charge, and after Daejeon and Sejong the sessions continue in major metropolitan cities and provinces including Seoul and Gyeonggi, Incheon, Gangwon, Chungnam, Chungbuk, Jeonbuk, Gwangju and Jeonnam, Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongnam, Daegu, Gyeongbuk and Jeju until the end of October. Detailed schedules and venues by region are to be announced on the website of the Small Enterprise and Market Service (소상공인시장진흥공단, www.semas.or.kr) as they are confirmed.
Background — why this change
According to the 'quantitative and qualitative statistics on small business owners who have closed down' released by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups on 30 June, 976,000 businesses closed last year, 32,000 fewer than the year before. However, the closure rate in the 6 major industries in which small business owners mainly work was 11.08%, above the overall average of 8.64%, and 68.5% of small business owners who closed down did so carrying debts averaging 85.31 million won. The ministry said it had arranged these sessions so that small business owners struggling with high interest rates and weak domestic demand could receive consultations in one place on their combined management problems, including funding, debt, closure and restarting.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
Is there a participation fee?
No. Any small business owner located in the region concerned can take part free of charge.
What kinds of consultation are available?
One-to-one consultations with experts in each field on policy funds (loans), credit guarantees, debt adjustment, winding up a business, employment and re-startup support, and labour and marketing consulting.
Where can I check the schedule for my region?
Detailed schedules and venues by region are to be announced on the Small Enterprise and Market Service website (www.semas.or.kr) as they are confirmed, and enquiries can also be made to the integrated call centre on 1533-0100.