Women Entrepreneurs Welcome Nomination of Soyoung Lee as SMEs and Startups Minister

[Financial News] Women entrepreneurs welcomed the nomination of Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Soyoung Lee as minister of SMEs and startups. In a statement on the 30th, the Korean Women Entrepreneurs Association said, "We sincerely welcome the nomination of Soyoung Lee as the Lee Jae-myung administration's nominee for minister of SMEs and startups."
 The association noted that Lee is a legal expert by training and a two-term lawmaker who served in the 21st and 22nd National Assembly. It said her work on the Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs, and Startups Committee helped her build understanding and experience in SME and venture policy.
 It also praised her efforts to develop policies for sustainable growth and industrial transition, including her role as the lead sponsor of the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth.
 The association said Lee's expertise is expected to be applied positively to SME and startup policy, given that climate, environment, and energy issues are closely tied to the competitiveness of small businesses.
 It also said the appointment carries significance in itself, as Lee was born in 1985. The group said the move reflects diversity and inclusion by actively incorporating the perspective of a younger generation and female leadership into state affairs.
 The association urged Lee to actively reflect the voices of SMEs and small business owners in policy.
 It specifically asked her to support innovation so that SMEs can respond to rapid changes in the industrial environment, including artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, and carbon neutrality. It also called for stronger efforts to promote women-led startups and expand sales channels and investment opportunities for women-owned businesses.
 The association said it hopes Lee will pursue effective policies so that women-owned businesses can establish themselves as a major growth engine of the economy, and added that it will actively cooperate for the growth of SMEs and small business owners and for sustainable economic development.

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