The South Korean Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) has initiated a response mechanism to address the damages incurred by small businesses following the recent airstrikes on Iran by the United States and Israel. This includes an online damage reporting system accessible through their export support centers, which have tailored support measures such as increasing the limit for international shipping costs via export vouchers from 30 million KRW to 60 million KRW. They are also actively negotiating with logistics companies to explore alternatives to mitigate the disruptions and challenges faced by small exporters.

In light of the potential long-term impact of the situation in the Middle East, MSS plans to broaden its monitoring to encompass the region and review additional support measures. They will launch a task force led by Vice Minister Noh Yong-seok, involving various related organizations and institutions, to assess the extent of the damages affecting small and venture businesses and to strategize for future support. The task force will evaluate the current situation regarding export damages, projecting impacts based on product types and regional factors.

As trade ties with Iran and Israel are modest, with 2025 projections showing exports to Israel at $39 million (0.3% of the overall small business exports) and to Iran at $14 million (0.1%), the MSS emphasizes the need for constant cooperation with relevant ministries like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Industry to stay responsive to ongoing developments in the region. Vice Minister Noh reiterated their commitment to closely monitor the dynamics of the situation and ensure focused support through regional export centers.