The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced a regulatory sandbox meeting at Osong Advanced Medical Industry Promotion Foundation. The regulatory sandbox helps SMEs by temporarily easing regulations to verify the safety and commercialization of new technologies. The meeting discussed the expanded regional cooperation model and supportive measures.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development held the ‘2025 Startup Planner Growth Summit’ at COEX in Seoul. The event included award ceremonies for startup planners and venture capitalists, as well as programs to provide follow-up investment opportunities. Special lectures and discussions were held to commemorate the 500th registration of startup planners since the system was introduced in 2016.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced a comprehensive notice of the 2026 Small Business Export Support Program, totaling 686.7 billion won. Next year’s support program includes expansion of export vouchers, diversification of export markets, and support for promising K-consumer goods sectors. Various specialized education and certification support programs will be newly established to strengthen the export competitiveness of SMEs.

Kang Seong-min, Deputy Administrator of the Public Procurement Service, visited Hiho Gyeong Metal in Gunsan City. The visit aimed to listen to difficulties faced by aluminum manufacturing companies due to rising global aluminum prices and exchange rate fluctuations. The PPS announced support for SMEs in raw material procurement through the release of reserve goods.

The government plans to differentiate usage periods per band to commercialize 6G communications. To support the advancement of AI to become a top three powerhouse, the mandatory adoption of standalone mode (SA) for 5G and incentives for establishing indoor base stations will be implemented. This initiative aims to encourage the construction of 10,000 and 20,000 indoor base stations.

The Ministry of Health hosted a committee meeting in Seoul to discuss various plans to activate the use of medical data. The committee discussed data utilization plans for AI-based medical innovation and the opening and improvement of public data. Vice Minister Lee Hyung-hoon emphasized the establishment of legal and institutional foundations and called for strengthening social trust in the medical community.