On January 21, the Korean government, led by Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yun-cheol, announced a ‘Win-Win Growth Strategy’ for large and small businesses during an economic ministers’ meeting. This initiative follows the 2026 Economic Growth Strategy and aims to realize inclusive growth by sharing achievements between large corporations and SMEs. Last year’s successful Korea-US tariff negotiations, the UAE visit, and APEC economic results were attributed to joint efforts by both large and small enterprises and the government. The administration emphasized the need to spread these achievements across the entire business ecosystem and to innovate existing cooperation policies.
The strategy is built on three main pillars. First, it seeks to directly share large companies’ export and order achievements with SMEs, expanding support for SMEs’ overseas expansion up to 2 billion KRW. Second, the win-win finance program will be expanded to 1.7 trillion KRW, and the cooperation fund will reach over 1.5 trillion KRW from 2026 to 2030. Third, mechanisms such as joint technology development, profit-sharing, and cost-linked payment systems will strengthen the flow of benefits from large to small businesses. Legal and institutional reforms to prevent technology theft and ensure fair trade are also included.
The government plans to expand the win-win cooperation ecosystem beyond traditional manufacturing to online platforms, finance, and defense industries. Strict measures will be taken against monopolistic practices by delivery platforms, and a new evaluation system for online platform companies will be introduced. Industry-specific policies include win-win assessments in defense, support for nuclear SME exports, and increased funding for carbon reduction investments. Safety and health cooperation projects for SMEs will also be extended to all sectors, including construction.
To ensure rapid implementation, the government will closely collaborate with relevant organizations and actively communicate key measures to the public and businesses. A new public-private joint monitoring meeting, chaired by the President, will oversee the progress of these initiatives. These strategies are expected to address unfair practices and lay the foundation for sustainable growth between large and small enterprises. Ongoing monitoring and adjustments will be essential for effective policy execution and adaptation to field realities.
The government’s win-win growth strategy aims to address structural imbalances and foster an innovative ecosystem between large corporations and SMEs. The significant expansion of cooperation funds and financial, technological, and institutional support is likely to enhance SMEs’ global competitiveness. Proactive measures in AI, platform industries, and legal safeguards against technology theft demonstrate a forward-looking approach to industrial transformation. Continuous field monitoring and strengthened public-private cooperation will be critical to the strategy’s success, marking a pivotal shift toward sustainable and innovative growth in Korea’s business landscape.