Korea Business Review · Section
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FUNDING & SUPPORT
6 Things Companies Should Check Before the August 24 Deadline for the Second Public Institution Verification Support Program
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) is accepting applications for the second round of the Public Institution Verification Support Program for R&D products from August 10 to August 24 (Notice No. 2026-497). The program provides up to 30 million won per product, covering 80% of verification costs on a reimbursement basis, where participating companies execute costs first and are later settled after verification by the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME). Applications are divided into two tracks: the 'demand-driven' track where public institutions state their needs, and the 'proposal-driven' track where companies designate institutions, with the proposal-driven track limited to one application per product per company. The proposal-driven track requires selecting an institution from a list of 862 public institutions for 2026, followed by passing the institution's confirmation of participation. While verification selection does not guarantee procurement, verification history and official test certificates can potentially be utilized as performance data in subsequent bidding and certification procedures.
이우리 선임기자 · 08/21/2026
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FUNDING & SUPPORT
Government to Select 8,000 Aspiring Founders: Receive 2 Million Won to Start, Up to 1 Billion Won Upon Passing Auditions
이우리 선임기자 · 08/13/2026
INDUSTRY & ECONOMIC POLICY
Semiconductor Special Act Enforcement Decree Takes Effect August 11: Priority Designation for Non-Capital Region Clusters and Special Account to Run Until 2036
류현진 선임기자 · 08/12/2026
INDUSTRY & ECONOMIC POLICY
Employment Bounces Back After a Month, But Youth Employment Rate Falls for 26th Consecutive Month; Government Announces 'Youth Job Recovery Plan' for Q3
박소유 책임기자 · 07/18/2026
INDUSTRY & ECONOMIC POLICY
Samsung's 2,655 Trillion Won and SK's 2,100 Trillion Won: The Launch of South Korea's AI Great Transformation with All-In Bets on Semiconductors, Physical AI, and Data Centers
강지혜 선임기자 · 06/30/2026
REGULATION & LEGISLATION
Medical Data as a 'Strategic Asset of the AI Era'… Public Hearing for 'Digital Healthcare Act' Begins in Earnest
On June 22, 2026, the National Assembly, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Welfare and Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Young-seok's office, held a public hearing on the enactment of the 'Act on Supporting the Use of Digital Healthcare and Health and Medical Information' (initially proposed by Lawmaker Seo on November 24, 2025) to gather opinions from various sectors. The bill is designed as a foundational law containing both 'utilization foundations'—such as definitions, national responsibilities, basic plans, the right to demand transmission (medical MyData), the legalization of pseudonymization review procedures, and regulatory sandboxes/pilot projects—and 'protective safeguards.' The core controversy lies between 'utilization versus protection,' with the industry prioritizing predictability in data use, while the medical community and civil society emphasize re-identification risks, patient consent, and guaranteed control. Presenter Professor Kim Jae-sun pointed out the slow legislative pace in South Korea, noting that major countries like Japan, Finland, Germany, and the EU have already established relevant special laws while South Korea remains at the bill submission stage. However, as this bill is still in the early legislative stage following its proposal and public hearing, further reviews by standing committees, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and the plenary session remain ahead, with the coordination of similar bills, such as one proposed by Lawmaker Ahn Sang-hoon, acting as a variable.
이지영 기자 · 06/23/2026
INDUSTRY & ECONOMIC POLICY
May Export Prices Hit 28-Year High While Import Prices Fall for Two Consecutive Months: The Decoupling of Korea's Export-Import Index
According to the May Export and Import Price Index released by the Bank of Korea on the 16th, the export price index rose 0.3% from the previous month to 188.58, marking the highest level in about 28 years since March 1998, and surging 46.9% year-on-year. This upward trend was led by semiconductors, with computer, electronic, and optical product export prices rising 5.4% month-on-month and 104% year-on-year, driven by strong AI data center demand for DRAM (+7.6%) and flash memory (+19.5%). Conversely, import prices fell 0.3% month-on-month due to a decline in Dubai crude (from $105.7 to $103.15), declining for the second consecutive month. Even on a contract-currency basis excluding exchange rate effects, import prices dropped 0.5%, confirming a trend grounded in actual raw material price drops. As export prices rose and import prices fell, the net terms of trade index—a core indicator of profitability—improved by double digits for four consecutive months, signaling a boost in the real purchasing power and margins of exporting companies. However, while upward pressure on oil prices is expected to ease following the US-Iran ceasefire agreement on June 15, the pace of normalization of Middle Eastern oil facilities, high exchange rates in the 1,490-won range, and monthly volatility in memory unit prices remain variables that will determine the outlook for the second half of the year.
박소유 책임기자 · 06/16/2026
FUNDING & SUPPORT
MSS Issues 3 Public Notices in 3 Days: Opens Applications for Bio Challenge and 2nd Round of Logistics Vouchers
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) released three consecutive support program notices for startups and exporting companies over a three-day period from June 8 to 11. Announced on June 11, the 'Everyone's Challenge' for bio startups (Notice No. 2026-390) is open for applications until July 1 and operates as an open innovation project based on demand-company collaboration tasks. Following the demand-company task recruitment (closing June 11), a relay structure recruits supply companies, while the Defense Challenge (closing June 22) and AI+ OpenData Challenge are also underway. Starting June 8, the second recruitment for general logistics vouchers began, allowing exporting SMEs burdened by freight volatility and Middle East instability to apply. Prior to applying, it is essential to review the original notices, prioritize applications by impending deadlines, and check overlapping benefit restriction clauses.
이지영 기자 · 06/11/2026
REGULATION & LEGISLATION
Revision of Enforcement Decree for Framework Act on AI Nears Public Comment Deadline: Weight Given to 'Promotion' Ahead of Full Implementation in July
Public comments for the revision of the Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on Artificial Intelligence—which details provisions for public procurement and support for vulnerable groups—close on June 19, as the EU significantly delays the timeline for high-risk regulations. [KBR Policy Insight]
이우리 선임기자 · 06/10/2026
INDUSTRY & ECONOMIC POLICY
Won-Dollar Exchange Rate Hits 17-Year High—The Paradox of 'A Weak Won Amid Export Boom'
Despite May exports reaching a record $87.7 billion and a trade surplus of $26.9 billion, the exchange rate breached the 1,550-won mark; dollar strength, foreign selling, and geopolitical risks overpower the trade surplus.
박소유 책임기자 · 06/08/2026
