SME Ombudsman Moves to Protect Gimpo Manufacturers from Illegal Brokers

[Financial News] Choi Seung-jae, Ombudsman for SMEs, visited WONTAE and SSANGYONG ELECTRIC in Gimpo City, Gyeonggi Province, on the 18th to assess the challenges faced by small and medium-sized manufacturers in investing in automated equipment and managing financial affairs. 
 Yoon Hyung-sik, vice president of WONTAE, said that automation was necessary because the company was struggling to recruit workers and still had dangerous manual processes, but that the burden of investing in equipment was substantial. He urged the government to expand support for the introduction of automated equipment. Yoon Geuk-young, CEO of SSANGYONG ELECTRIC, asked the government to prevent damage caused by illegal brokers who demand high fees during applications for policy financing.
 Choi explained this year's Ministry of SMEs and Startups program for the transition to artificial intelligence (AI), as well as the government's response to measures against illegal brokers. He also introduced related support programs.
 He also listened to various difficulties reported at manufacturing sites, including minimum wage increases, the flexible operation of the 52-hour workweek system, the use of foreign workers, and instability in raw-material supply and procurement.
 "We will review the suggestions raised together with the relevant ministries and Gimpo City and work to develop improvements that companies can feel in practice, so that manufacturers can focus on investing in equipment and production," Choi said.

[email protected] Kim Hyeon-cheol Reporter