Lee Jin-wook, a management consultant with over 20 years of experience in human resources and labor, discusses the challenges faced by small businesses in South Korea. Small enterprises make up 99.9% of the country's businesses but account for less than half of total sales, indicating a stark disparity in productivity compared to large corporations. This gap is leading to increasing inequality, with small businesses struggling to maintain viability, especially during an economic downturn exacerbated by illegal brokers exploiting vulnerable workers.

The article sheds light on the structure of South Korea's economy, where the majority of the workforce is employed by small businesses. In 2023, approximately 8.3 million small businesses employed over 19 million people. Despite their size, small businesses face significant hurdles, including lower productivity and financial pressures. Lee’s role as a consultant involves not only providing advice on labor contracts and policy funding but also addressing the broader implications of these economic disparities, thereby contributing to a national conversation about the necessity of supporting small enterprises for the collective well-being of citizens.

Addressing the issues faced by small businesses requires a multifaceted approach, combining structural and policy-level solutions with individual enterprise insights. Lee Jin-wook personifies the shift Toward understanding labor in the context of broader economic challenges. His insights represent a critical viewpoint in navigating the complexities of South Korea's labor market, emphasizing that for the nation to progress, the problems that hinder small business owners need urgent and effective solutions.