Ministry of SMEs and Startups holds deliberation committee on suitable industries for livelihood
Additional extension decided upon expiration of 5-year period for both industries
Conditions for large bookstore openings are more relaxed than before.
LPG retail business is designated under the same conditions as before.
The photo has nothing to do with the article. /Getty Image Bank The bookstore industry and LPG retail industry have been re-designated as suitable industries for livelihood.
On the 14th, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups held a ‘Review Committee on Suitable Industries for Livelihood’ and announced that both industries can now be protected as suitable industries for 5 years even after the expiration of the period. The period for suitable industries for livelihood is 5 years.
Suitable industries for livelihoods were started with the purpose of protecting small and medium-sized business owners in accordance with the ‘Special Act on Designation of Suitable Industries for Livelihood of Small Business Owners’. It is a system that restricts the entry of large and medium-sized companies into industries and products for which the existing designation as suitable for small and medium-sized businesses has expired. The two industries that were designated as eligible industries in 2019 were reconsidered on this day.
The LPG retail industry, where large companies did not enter, was re-designated according to the same standards as five years ago. However, the bookstore industry changed some conditions this time to reflect the demands of large corporations and small business owners.
Previously, when large companies such as Kyobo Bookstore and Youngpoong Bookstore opened new stores, they could open ‘up to 1 book per year, up to 5 books over 5 years.’ For the next five years, ‘up to 5 stores in 5 years’ remains the same, but ‘up to 2 stores per year’ can be opened. Additionally, when relocating an existing store, the period limit was previously ‘6 months before or after the store closed’, but this time it was relaxed to ‘1 year before or after the store closes’. The area standard for relocation was previously limited to ‘within 110% of the existing store area’, but this time the limit was removed.
The conditions desired by small business bookstores were also reflected. It was decided to maintain the existing condition, ‘When a large company opens a new store, the new store cannot sell elementary, middle, and high school study reference books for 36 months after the store opens.’ This takes into account the fact that in the case of small bookstores, a large portion of sales comes from study reference books purchased from nearby apartment complexes.
An official from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups explained, “It took a long time to coordinate the contents desired by large corporate bookstores and small business bookstores, but in the end, we reached a result that both parties were somewhat satisfied with.”
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to hold a review committee again for other livelihood-related industries whose five-year period will soon expire, such as the vending machine operation industry. Currently, 11 eligible industries are designated. The bookstore business is until the 17th, and the LPG retail business is until November 19th. Industries for which the period will soon expire include vending machine operation (November 19), tofu manufacturing (December 31), noodle and cold noodle manufacturing (December 31), and soy sauce, red pepper paste, soybean paste, and cheonggukjang manufacturing (December 31). Sun), Tteokguk Tteok and Tteokbokki Tteok Manufacturing (September 15, 2026).
Reporter Min Ji-hye [email protected]
