[Hankyung] Unveils Measures to Boost Online Exports, 'Formulating a plan to boost online exports'

"The government will support maintaining the global competitiveness of key export items, such as K-beauty and used cars, which have been pioneered by the private sector."

Minister of SMEs and Startups, Han Seong-sook, said on the 6th at a meeting with export SMEs held at the Silicon2 logistics center in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, 'We will prepare support measures for expanding exports, such as funding, expanding overseas markets, and collaborating with global platforms.

This meeting, themed 'Customs and Exports,' was organized to understand the challenges faced by export SMEs due to U.S. tariff measures and discuss response strategies. Silicon2 is a B2B distributor that supports the exports of domestic cosmetics companies. Around 10 representatives from export SMEs attended the meeting.

Minister Han said, 'I am well aware of the difficulties and concerns faced by SMEs due to the implementation of the 15% reciprocal tariffs,' and added, 'In addition to existing support measures such as the export voucher and emergency management stabilization funds, we will prepare additional support plans.' Minister Han further emphasized, 'We will provide essential information for export SMEs, such as tariff imposition standards, in a swift and accurate manner,' and 'We will also formulate measures to promote online exports, a relatively low-risk export method.

According to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Korea's SMEs' exports in the first half of the year reached 56.7 billion USD (approximately 78.6 trillion KRW), a 3% increase compared to the same period last year. Among the top 10 export items, the export value of 7 items, excluding cosmetics, used cars, and semiconductor equipment, decreased compared to the previous year, showing significant differences across industries.

Jang Chae-min, CEO of Brahms Life Health, which is preparing to export massage chairs, pointed out, "It is extremely difficult for domestic products to receive overseas certifications and be exported, but low-cost Chinese products easily enter the domestic market through online channels." Son In-ho, Vice President of Silicon2, stated, "In the context of the tariff war, maintaining the competitiveness of K-beauty requires minimizing price increases for consumers," and emphasized, "Effective policies at the government level are necessary."