Seoul rolls out emergency plans to shield SMEs from Middle East crisis

The government of South Korea is preparing a series of preventive measures to mitigate the potential economic impact of the prolonged conflict in the Middle East on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Minister for SMEs and Startups Han Seong-sook said.

In a statement posted on X, Han noted that authorities are closely monitoring developments in the region and are working to reduce possible disruptions to businesses that depend on imports and global supply chains.

< 중동 상황에 먼저 준비하고 대응에 만전을 기하겠습니다 >

중동 상황 장기화 우려에 대비해 소상공인과 중소기업에 미치는 영향을 최소화하도록 선제적으로 대응하겠습니다.

1차 점검회의가 수출 중심의 정보 연계에 집중했다면, 오늘 2차 회의는 수입 기업의 애로와 소상공인 민생 위기까지…

— 한성숙 중소벤처기업부 장관 (@han_seongsook) March 13, 2026

According to the minister, the latest government meeting focused on phased response plans designed to support importing companies and small business owners while ensuring that assistance systems remain stable and accessible.

Among the measures under consideration is the introduction of “Emergency Logistics Vouchers,” which are intended to help companies address potential logistical disruptions quickly and maintain supply operations.

Authorities are also developing additional support policies based on feedback from local businesses. These measures aim to reduce the risks of raw material shortages and rising costs that could affect small and medium-sized enterprises if the conflict continues.

Han stressed that the government is prepared to mobilize all available policy tools to stabilize the business environment, alleviate concerns among entrepreneurs, and safeguard the interests of the country’s SME sector.

By Vafa Guliyeva