Choi Won-young, New CEO of Korea SMEs and Startups Distribution Agency (HanYuwon): “Will Become a Public Agency Specializing in Marketing Policy”

[Financial News] Choi Won-young, former director of the Small Business Policy Office at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), has taken office as the 14th CEO of HanYuwon.
According to HanYuwon on the 13th, newly appointed CEO Choi held an inauguration ceremony that day at HanYuwon's Mokdong headquarters and officially began his duties.
After graduating from Seoul National University's Department of Mechanical Engineering, CEO Choi earned a master's degree in techno-management MBA from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Colorado (UCD).
He worked at the MSS for about 28 years, supporting SMEs, startups and small businesses on the ground in areas including exports, finance and sales channels. Most recently, he served as Director General for Global Growth Policy and head of the Small Business Policy Office.
In his inaugural address, CEO Choi said, “I will make HanYuwon an irreplaceable national flagship agency specializing in marketing policy,” and set out four specific future directions: redefining the agency's identity around its core functions; establishing a sustainable management system; strengthening its policy role by transforming its marketing functions; and developing into an organization that performs well and is a good place to work.
In particular, he described HanYuwon as a “public agency specializing in marketing policy” for SMEs, startups and small businesses, and stressed that he would redefine its institutional identity around business growth and performance.
He also highlighted the need for tailored support based on the growth stage of policy-targeted businesses and the characteristics of their products, to identify companies and products that are “hidden gems” and connect them with marketing and sales. He plans to strengthen HanYuwon's policy functions so that public procurement can serve as a “growth catalyst” for innovative companies such as startups and venture firms.
CEO Choi said, “HanYuwon's market access support helps companies bear fruit at the final stage and grow into going concerns. For SMEs and small-business owners facing dire circumstances on the ground, it is like a lifeline. For a brighter future for these businesses, I will work on the ground alongside employees, rolling up my sleeves to break through difficulties and longstanding bottlenecks, and be a steadfast partner.”
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