The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development released the 2023 Startup Survey results.
In 2023, there were 4.902 million startups, accounting for 59.1% of all SMEs, with 979,000 tech-based startups making up 20%.
Startups led by young entrepreneurs grew by 2.2%, and the government plans to increase the startup support budget to KRW 3.5 trillion by 2026.
President Lee Jae-myung and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held a summit on the 19th, emphasizing expanded cooperation in science, aerospace, and defense industries.
The two countries signed an MOU on semiconductor cooperation and have developed a strategic partnership in trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.
Both leaders agreed to jointly address global challenges like climate crisis and to further strengthen future-oriented collaboration.
Housing projects supplying 2,700 units have resumed after delays, thanks to the Fast-Track Approval Support Center.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Architecture & Urban Research Institute resolved legal interpretation and donation issues, saving about 3 billion KRW in costs.
Based on the pilot center’s success, institutionalization efforts are underway.
President Lee Jae-myung and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held a summit at the Blue House on January 19, 2026, agreeing to further develop bilateral relations as strategic partners.
The two countries signed three MOUs covering semiconductors, disaster management, and cultural heritage protection, and pledged to expand cooperation in AI, aerospace, and cultural exchanges.
This summit is expected to strengthen collaboration in economy, science, culture, and global issues between Korea and Italy.
The Ministry of Science and ICT will select 10 new AI-focused universities for the 2026 project.
Selected universities can receive up to 24 billion KRW over 8 years, with plans to expand to 30 universities by 2030.
Key initiatives include AI education system innovation, specialized curricula, industry collaboration, and startup support.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced a long-term plan to increase the public sector’s share of agricultural employment to 60% by 2030 and strengthen the introduction of seasonal foreign workers.
In the first half of 2026, the allocation of seasonal foreign workers will reach a record 92,104, and the number of public seasonal labor sites will expand to 130.
The plan also includes measures to improve worker safety, prevent wage arrears, and enhance living conditions in the agricultural sector.